The federal government has spent a significant amount on temporary accommodations, totaling over $426 million in the current fiscal year. This includes costs for accommodations, meals, security, service providers, and transportation for asylum claimants. In Calgary, the issue of finding affordable permanent homes for refugees is becoming a growing concern. Currently, there are 126 government-assisted refugees in Calgary living in hotels or at reception houses, a number that has decreased from the previous year due to issues with moving people from hotels to permanent housing. Calgary Catholic Immigration Centre director Bindu Narula explained that the bottleneck was not only due to a lack of available housing but also the large number of refugees arriving at once.
Wilton Otto, a refugee from Sudan, has finally been able to settle in Calgary after fleeing war and living in Egypt and Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude for the welcoming environment he has found in Canada. However, finding permanent housing has been a challenge for Otto, as property owners often ask for proof of income and employment, making it difficult for newcomers. Narula mentioned that refugees typically stay in hotels for three to four weeks, but the duration varies based on factors such as family size and accessibility needs. She emphasized the importance of providing refugees with a comfortable and safe place to live, as living in hotels can be stressful and uncertain.
Narula suggested that Calgary could explore solutions used by countries like Norway and Germany, such as repurposing older buildings, using modular housing, and adjusting city policies to address the rising rents that are making it difficult for refugees to find affordable permanent homes. She also highlighted the impact of the housing crisis on the construction industry, as a lack of immigration could lead to a labor shortage in the sector. IRCC acknowledged the challenges faced by provinces and municipalities in providing temporary housing for asylum claimants and mentioned the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP), which provides funding to address interim housing pressures resulting from increased volumes of asylum claimants.
Since April 2020, IRCC has accommodated approximately 51,600 asylum claimants in temporary accommodations across Canada. The statement from IRCC highlighted the need to alleviate pressures on provinces and municipalities in providing temporary housing for asylum claimants, given the unprecedented flows of migrants and refugees worldwide. The federal government has been transferring asylum claimants from shelters to IRCC-funded hotels in six provinces to provide temporary housing. It also mentioned the importance of cost-sharing partnerships with provincial and municipal governments to address the extraordinary interim housing pressures resulting from increased volumes of asylum claimants. Overall, the challenges of finding affordable permanent housing for refugees in Calgary and across Canada remain a significant issue that requires collaborative solutions and support from various levels of government and stakeholders.
