London Free Press

London homeless agencies rip Queen’s Park encampment, drug use crackdown

7 min read

Ontario’s promised crackdown on encampments and public drug use doesn’t solve underlying problems, and serves to criminalize homelessness, London social-agency leaders say. Premier Doug Ford has announced $25.5-million in new funding to open up and expand shelter capacity for people living in encampments across the province, along with $50 million to fund “ready to build” […]

London Free Press

Christmas giving in and around London: Who’s in need, how you can help

11 min read

It’s called the season of giving for a reason. London-area charities are making a major push to help the less fortunate, collecting everything from food to toys to toiletries to help low-income Londoners, support the city’s homeless or make the holidays brighter for kids in hospital. Here are some of the London-area organizations with donations […]

London Free Press

‘More deaths coming’ as city weakens winter homeless outreach: Advocates

7 min read

Londoners are going to die in greater numbers this winter because of city council’s one-two punch that’s cutting beds and outreach at the same time, homelessness leaders warn. “Where are people going to go? To the morgue,” community care worker Dan Oudshoorn of Sanctuary London said Thursday. “There’s a deep feeling of horror on the […]

London Free Press

Councillors balk at adding more homeless encampment depots

6 min read

London’s program to provide people who live in homeless encampments with food, water, garbage cleanup and portable washrooms is on shaky ground, after city councillors floated a lifeline until the end of February. Councillors ultimately voted 10-5 at a meeting Tuesday of city council’s strategic priorities and policy committee to endorse letting depots as they […]