An organization working with Syrian refugees in Ottawa says many of them will soon be on social assistance and there are concerns some may end up in shelters.
That's because the year in which the refugees are sponsored by the federal government is about the end.
Louisa Taylor of Refugee 613 says she expects a little more than half of the 2,100 Syrian refugees in the capital will go on social assistance once they reach "Month 13."
"When their income drops, they're on social assistance, which anybody who works in the social services sector will tell you, it's simply not a living income," she says. "There's just not enough housing affordable at that level and so to sustain your family on that becomes more difficult."
She says the main concern is that may lead many of the refugees to turn to shelters.
That, however, she says is not necessarily new. Taylor says there are "dozens of families living in motels because the city's shelters are full all year-round."
"What (the Syrian refugees) are doing is shining a spotlight on our system and where we let people down regardless of their origins."
Taylor says her group wants Ottawa residents to think about how they might be able to help.
"I would really urge people to think about what their professional and personal networks can do to open employment opportunities to people and to welcome them socially and just embrace them and tell them that this is their new home and they're safe here."