This is one of three Sprung Structures used in Toronto as 24-hour respite centres for those experiencing homelessness.
As the City of Ottawa moves forward with a plan to build a temporary housing facility for asylum seekers, city staff say they're studying the examples set by other municipalities that already use the tent-like structures to house vulnerable populations.
A reception desk greets visitors to Dixon Hall's Sprung Structure in Toronto. Washrooms are off to the side. When clients arrive, they sign in and are greeted at the reception desk that sits in the middle of a broad entrance corridor with cinder block walls. Washrooms, showers and a makeshift doctor's office are off to the side.
"I have heard about it, but I think the dignity comes from the operator and how you treat the people that you work with. I think we at Dixon Hall, we are kind of known for working with the community," he said. Kale Brown, Ottawa's acting director of housing and homelessness services, said while Toronto does not use its Sprung Structures for newcomer reception, the nearby Regional Municipality of Peel is "moving forward with one and the slightly different model."
"Everybody would prefer they didn't exist at all, I suppose, but if they're going to exist ... you have to share the load. It's all part of your social responsibility," said Ross Howey, a member of the local residents' association.
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