There will be more help available this winter for London’s homeless population.
The city and eight homeless advocate agencies have banded together to craft and roll out an expanded winter response plan aimed at helping nearly 400 unhoused individuals living in the city through the coldest months of the year.
“Our shared goal has always been to ensure more support and better access to basic needs, together, with coordinated efforts, resources and approaches,” said Anne Armstrong, the executive director of lead agency London Cares Homeless Response Services. “We know that the only way we can do this, is together, and that is how we’ve arrived at a solution that will see even more support than last year for Londoners experiencing homelessness.”
The city is offering up to $5 million in funding for the plan that includes more temporary shelter options for couples and pets, women and non-binary individuals, and Indigenous community members, as well as daytime and overnight resting and drop-in spaces and additional resources during cold weather alerts.
The expanded winter response also builds on services already being offered by multiple agencies in London, such as encampment support and outreach, cultural safety, trauma informed and harm reduction training for outreach workers, outreach coordination to reach more people and identify resource gaps, and essentials like food, water, showers, and laundry.
London Cares, Unity Project, Atlohsa Family Healing Services, the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, Ark Aid, Canadian Mental Health Association-Coffee House, Safe Space, 519 Pursuit and the city collaborated on the new winter plan. It builds on last year’s response that saw new overnight drop-in spaces downtown and two pop-up shelters – one at Fanshawe Golf Course, the other on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute.
“Most importantly, and without question, this program will save lives,” said Mayor-elect Josh Morgan. “Beyond that, it is my hope this effort also sends a clear message to those experiencing homelessness that they matter. That’s reflected by the unprecedented nature of this program, along with the compassion and commitment of so many individuals who contributed to its design, and imminent implementation.”
Exact details of where the additional indoor spaces will be opened for the homeless have not been released. But the agencies did state during cold weather alerts there would be another 56 spots opened to keep people warm.
Work is expected to begin immediately to ensure temporary shelters and drop-in spaces will be ready for the winter months.
