London residents are once again being given a chance to have their say on the implementation of the city's first homeless hubs.
Between August 30 and September 7, the city will hold five additional in-person community feedback sessions on the matter. Those in attendance will be provided information about the proposed services and timelines for the hubs. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and collect feedback that will "help inform council decisions" on different aspects of the first hubs including locations and lead agencies, city officials said.
Part of London's new homelessness response system, the 15 hubs will allow unhoused individuals 24/7 access to health and wellness services, transitional and respite beds, housing access support, and harm reduction referrals. Each hub will be able to shelter 25 to 30 people. The plan is to open the first three to five hubs by the end of the year. Last month, council approved the comprehensive list of hub implementation criteria that it is now seeking additional feedback on.
“We want to hear from residents on this critical and transformative component of the Whole of Community System Response,” Mayor Josh Morgan said in a statement issued Wednesday. “Solving the health and homelessness crisis will take the entire community, those who are most marginalized, those working in the system, and those trying to provide support, including businesses and community members who are also experiencing the impacts of this crisis. I encourage all Londoners to participate in these engagement sessions and share their feedback.”
The dates and locations for the upcoming public engagement sessions are as follows:
August 30 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at South London Community Centre – 1119 Jalna Blvd.
August 31 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Medway Community Centre – 119 Sherwood Forest Square
September 5 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Byron Optimist Community Centre – 1308 Norman Ave.
September 6 from 7p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at East Lions Community Centre – 1731 Churchill Ave.
September 7 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre – 656 Elizabeth St.
Approximately 2,000 people in London are considered to be homeless.
