Leiper Drops Support For Sprung Structures

03/18/2025

I wanted to drop a quick word here about the City’s announcement that it will no longer pursue Sprung structures in Nepean and Kanata as an approach to addressing the housing crisis associated with a large influx of newcomers to the city.

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This newsletter excerpt from Kitchissippi Councillor Jeff Leiper is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

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The City’s communications and media have mentioned 250 Lanark in this context, and I’ve been asked about the future of that property. I’d like to reiterate the note I had in a previous newsletter indicating that a prospective sale of the property by the feds to a third party won’t proceed, leaving the long-term future of that property up in the air.

Staff were careful in their language about 250 Lanark in announcing the pivot on temporary housing solutions, writing: “As a result, this will allow staff to pursue opportunities to extend the interim use of the space.” The City doesn’t have long-term permission from the feds to continue using the space as temporary overnight shelter but are pursuing that. I continue to be supportive of that effort, and without knowing the federal government’s plans for the property it’s difficult to predict what may ultimately be built on this prime property.