Deachman: Sprung structures aren't the best solution for temporary housing, but they may be the best for now

Recreation centres converted into physical distancing centres make for terrible temporary housing options.

Bruce Deachman

Published Jul 18, 2024

A photo shows the exterior of the Bernard Grandmaître Arena in Vanier, now being used as a temporary housing shelter. PHOTO BY BRUCE DEACHMAN /POSTMEDIA

City council last week held an emotional debate that appeared to have councillors arguing passionately over something they all agreed on: the pressing need for more temporary housing for asylum-seekers and others settling in Ottawa.

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Much of the controversy at council last week was the result of a motion put forth by Lo and seconded by Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill asking council to rescind the authority it delegated to staff last November to pursue, purchase and install Sprung structures.

The pair want the city to consider other options, including mass-timber construction.

Mass-timber construction is a customizable pre-fab option — Hill compares it to Lego — that uses wood components in place of steel or concrete. It’s durable and carbon-friendly and has been used to build sports arenas, office towers, education facilities and multi-family structures. In 2022, it was used to construct a four-storey, 41-unit women’s shelter in Waterloo and a year later an adjacent 10-unit shelter for women and their children. The turnaround time for the initial building was remarkable, going from concept to completion in under a year.

Hill, who in his time in the Canadian Forces lived in Sprung structures and is critical of them, says mass-timber offers far more dignity for those living in them. Lo adds that among the advantages of a mass-timber building is that they can accommodate multi-storeys — current building-code regulations in Ontario allow a maximum height of 12 storeys for mass timber buildings — while Sprung are limited to a single storey, Additionally, if the need for a welcome facility for newcomers lessens over time, the city would have a permanent structure it could add to its housing stock.

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