At the end of the days before the Federal Government stops financing stays at the hotel for asylum seekers, some OTTAWA residents and community organizations are putting the sleeves to help their neighbors find stable homes.
“When the deadlines approach and you have nowhere to go, it really is scary,” said Daniel Adda Fobi, a Ghana asylum seeker who directs a ministry for refugees and newcomers from 2SLGBTQ+ in the United Church of Kitchissippi.
“They feel very, very scared.”
Immigration, refugees and citizenship of Canada (IRCC) has said that the funds for hotel rooms will end on September 30. IRCC said it housed 136 asylum claimants at an Ottawa hotel in mid -September.
Fobi and other volunteers have been helping a group of 20 asylum seekers who have joined the Church community and are being forced to leave the rooms financed by IRCC to find stable accommodation in recent weeks.
“They fear [being] Taken to other parts of Canada, “Fobi said.” They say they are giving them insomnia nights and talked to the children and asked me, will they be on the street? “
For months, IRCC has said that it would help those who are still in hotels to find long -term homes before the program ends on Tuesday.
But the defenders said that there have not been enough local solutions for families in Ottawa, where city shelters have about the capacity and that government officials have encouraged claimers to move to other regions, including maritime.
That is why residents like Denise Bonomo are taking the matter in their own hands. He drove a U-Haul truck full of furniture to an Ottawa apartment last week to help an asylum applicant to settle in his new home.
“Our heart really hurts the people who are going through this,” said Bonomo, president of the Kitchissippi Church Council.
Bonomo said that volunteers have been driving around the city with claimants, negotiating with owners and acting as references, all with the aim of helping families find rental accommodation within their price range.
It has been a challenge.
While they have managed to ensure stable homes for a handful of families, Bonomo said the group is looking for a home for a single mother and her five children.
“The owners do not want to risk people who have new jobs … who do not have references in Canada, who have no credit history in Canada,” he explained. “It really leaves our group of very vulnerable people.”
When asked why his church is doing this, Bonomo replied: “That is what we are supposed to do. We must welcome him, be hospitable, be brave by assuming social injustices.”
In Kanata, a local non -profit organization has been launching to help claimers to provide their new spaces.
“As homes have assured … this gives them the opportunity to make that house a home,” said Kailee Brennan, executive director of Matthew House.
The Furniture Bank has served more than 1,800 families last year, he said, and is looking to expand in the New Year. The organization also provides temporary homes for unique asylum seekers.
“Families should not be left in limbo while the government classifies responsibilities,” said Brennan. “That uncertainty is deeply unfair.”
All in our community belong.– Kailee Brennan, Matthew House
Brennan said that the federal government needs to coordinate long -term solutions with other levels of government and community organizations, and invest in sustainable homes to better serve vulnerable populations.
“So I am not surprised that community groups have passed to this challenge,” said Brennan. “I admire the work they continue to do, driven by their values that all belong in our community.”
Other residents, organizations that take a step forward
In a statement to CBC News on Friday, IRCC said that it adheres to its deadline of September 30 and added that “he is working with the partners to ensure that the claimants obtain all the necessary help to ensure a housing solution and continues to monitor the situation.”
Meanwhile, other residents and organizations told CBC News that they are opening their homes or helping families secure homes while being forced to vacate hotels.
But defenders say that in the 11 hour, there are still families without a safe place to go.
“Kitchissippi [United Church] It is just not enough, “said Fobi.” We are making an attractive compassionate with IRCC and all forms of government, non -governmental organizations, foundations and good people from Ottawa … come to our aid. “
