Mayoral candidates come to U of O campus for debate. Image: Martinus Faessen/The Fulcrum.
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Top candidates tackle encampments in a lively debate about the housing crisis.
As Ottawa gears up for the municipal election on Oct. 26, the Alliance to End Homelessness put together a themed mayoral debate on Oct. 19 to highlight how the candidates plan to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis.
Here’s some background information
In 2020, Ottawa’s City Council became the first in Canada to declare a housing and homelessness emergency, a situation that still seems relevant today. Since 2023, family homelessness has surged by 76 percent. The main reasons for family homelessness in 2024 were identified as low income, inadequate social assistance, high rent costs, and insufficient support overall. Additionally, the average number of people using Ottawa’s shelter system has nearly doubled since 2022, rising from 2,000 to over 4,100.
A report from the City of Ottawa revealed that more than 16,000 households are waiting for rent-geared-to-income assistance housing. This leads to social housing waitlists of five to eight years and a staggering 41% drop in families escaping homelessness in 2025 compared to the previous year. By March 1, 2026, over 660 families faced homelessness in Ottawa. More than 1,200 of those individuals were children despite incumbent Mark Sutcliffe’s pledge to eliminate youth homelessness by 2030.
The demand for help couldn’t be clearer.
“Our waitlist is way too long. No one has the luxury of waiting for appropriate housing to become available,” said Bader Abu-Zahra, Co-Chair of the Vanier Chapter of Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). “The fact that the waitlist keeps on growing shows that we are in a housing crisis and that what those in power are doing to get ahead of these issues is not enough. We are only playing catch up and keep falling behind.”
ACORN is a community union focused on issues related to housing such as improved tenant protections and fighting for an increased affordable housing budget in Ottawa. Abu-Zahra mentioned that affordability issues, repairs and maintenance challenges with landlords stand out as major concerns shared by individuals during their outreach efforts.
“We must come together to ensure these issues remain at the forefront for those who can make changes and hold them accountable until we see real improvements,” said Abu-Zahra.
During the Debate
Debate tensions rose throughout discussions about encampments-especially after an ad was released by Sutcliffe’s campaign promising quick removal of encampment sites.
Jeff Leiper kicked off this segment by stating plainly, “Clearing out encampments is unconstitutional.” Shortly after that Neil Saravanumutto directed criticism at both Sutcliffe and Leiper.
“So really we need to bring Mark Sutcliffe into this discussion because Mark has said that he will clear encampments even though that is breaking the ruling of the Ontario Superior Court. So I’d love to hear what Mark has to say about this but realistically speaking; the city actually has been clearing encampments for quite some time now-that’s why we don’t have large ones around anymore.”
Sutcliffe responded by saying “I want to be clear about the fact that we are not going to be clearing any encampments until we know that people in those encampments have a safe place to go.”
He was also asked about a hotel on O’Connor Street bought by Ottawa’s City Hall back in March 2026 meant for families experiencing homelessness but which hasn’t opened yet. Sutcliffe claimed “I think the hotel is about to welcome its first family,” although he didn’t give any further details.
According to CTV reports, The O’Connor Street Family Transitional Housing Facility was set up initially with plans opening it fall of 2026; however no specific date or official move-in timeline has been made public yet.
Alex Lawson described shelters as merely temporary fixes saying “A band-aid needs cleaning.” He proposed quarterly inspections for shelters moving forward while criticizing Saravanamutto’s tiny home concept as being careless and lacking humanity towards those affected by homelessness crises.
“Alex I find it incredibly arrogant you’d suggest tiny homes aren’t viable solutions when leaving people outdoors isn’t an option,” Saravanamutto retorted while adding “You’re suggesting it’s preferable they stay outside rather than implementing timely solutions known successful elsewhere like Gatineau!”
Lawson fired back stating “You want us just warehouse human beings.”
In terms building affordable housing options Jeff Leiper highlighted his plan involving acquisition funds aimed specifically preserving affordable units while Sutcliffe expressed intentions adding another six hundred fifty affordable spaces within five years timeframe.” p >
Which strategies will ultimately take shape? And which candidate will safeguard our most vulnerable citizens?
Unsure how you’ll cast your vote? The Fulcrum offers insights into various mayoral debates alongside guidance through voting process details.
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