London, Ont. winter response to homelessness plan gets approval to move onto council

London, Ont.'s response to homelessness plan will now move on for final approval by councillors at the Nov. 16 city council meeting.

After some debate around the locations of London’s winter response to homelessness plan, city council’s community and protective services committee (CPSC) approved the proposal.

On Tuesday night, councillors discussed the 2021 to 2022 Winter Response Program for Unsheltered Individuals during the CPSC meeting.

The plan was approved 5-1, with Ward 3 Coun. Mohamed Salih opposed due to the proposed use of the city’s River Road and Fanshawe golf courses.

“I can support everything minus the location. My struggle is I have heard from many people in the community and residents in the area. I myself have tried to go out for a jog. It’s a safety concern and that’s why I can’t support that location,” Salih said.

The Ward 3 councillor noted that with the lack of sidewalks and fast-moving traffic in the area, he is worried for the safety of anyone at the site who may try to go for walk.

The plan will now move on for final approval by councillors during the Nov. 16 city council meeting.

Kevin Dickins, managing director of housing, social services and Dearness Home, said transportation will be available to those staying at the sites to ensure they will not be isolated and that some resources would even be brought directly to the sites.

“This is not expected to be drop-in or transient in nature, so the amount of foot traffic to and from should be very minimal, if any,” Dickins said.