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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fact that housing is a privilege, and not a right. Many were left without a home when physical distancing came into effect and were forced to stay on the streets of London. This caused the homelessness crisis to become a top priority for the city.
Non-profit organizations and the City of London have worked hard for the past eight months; delivering food, providing overnight resting spaces, etc. But their work doesn’t stop there.
Eager to help the homelessness crisis as quickly as possible; London’s Community and Protective Services Committee unanimously passed the Temporary Winter Response plan Tuesday, only one day after announcing it.
If the plan gets passed by City Council this coming week, it will run until the end of April next year in four locations across the city. Executive Director of London Cares, Anne Armstrong worked in a large collaboration with organizations and the City of London’s Homeless Prevention Team.
“Folks will be able to access indoor resting spaces, get connection to services, have food, have showers,” Armstrong says. “Planning is still in the works, but we’re very excited about what this opportunity can offer to get more folks off the street this year.”
Some more great news for the community; as part of Canada’s Built for Zero campaign, London is on track to become the first community to achieve ‘functional zero veteran homelessness’. Mayor Ed Holder announced the news in a tweet on Nov. 12th, thanking the teams and agencies involved.
The City of #LdnOnt is on track to become the first community in all of Canada to achieve functional zero veteran homelessness. I’m incredibly proud of our Homeless Prevention and Housing Team, along with other local agencies, for their exceptional work. More details: pic.twitter.com/cJriLNxtlk
— Ed Holder (@ldnontmayor) November 12, 2020
As the winter season arrived strong and quickly this year, Anne would like to thank the community and everyone who has reached out to help, or who has experienced homelessness.
“I think so often, there’s a stigma that’s built between those who are on the streets and those who are in the community,” she says. “Who knows, at some point it might be you. So I’m looking for that compassion and support, especially during this holiday season.”
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