Engagement opportunities on London’s whole of community system response to the health and homelessness crisis will begin next week, to provide Londoners with the opportunity to learn about the details of the plan and provide their input into the decision-making criteria that will guide the system implementation.
Residents will be able participate through the City’s engagement portal or at one of five in-person drop-in sessions to be held between June 14 and 26.
London Mayor Josh Morgan said that while the community is facing a dire crisis, the system response is poised to make a significant difference, which will only be made stronger by public input on implementation.
“The work that has been done already in the community to address health and homelessness has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Morgan. “We know how important it is that residents have a say in the implementation process, because solving this crisis will take the whole community. I encourage residents to learn about what is happening and give input into the decision making criteria that will guide the system implementation, and ultimately improve our collective capacity to help keep marginalized Londoners safe, healthy, and housed.”
The system response was designed by a collective of community experts from across sectors that is a first of its kind in London, and unique in Ontario. That group included more than 200 individuals representing nearly 70 local organizations in community health and social services, institutional healthcare, education, emergency services, business and economic development, land and housing development and multiple levels of government.
The new model includes 24/7 safe spaces and supportive housing, to help individuals experiencing homelessness move safely inside, be stabilized and supported, and become, and stay, sustainably housed.
Engagement dates are as follows:
Wednesday, June 14, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Canada Games Aquatic Centre – 1045 Wonderland Road North
or
South London Community Centre – 1119 Jalna Blvd
Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Byron Optimist Community Centre – 1308 Norman Avenue
or
East Lions Community Centre – 1731 Churchill Avenue
Monday, June 26, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kiwanis Seniors’ Community Centre – 78 Riverside Drive
Londoners can participate in the survey online until June 26, at getinvolved.london.ca/health-and-homelessness-in-london
About the Health & Homeless whole of community system response
The Health & Homeless whole of community system response is a transformative system change designed to support the most marginalized Londoners to move into safe places called hubs, help them get stabilized, wrap around them with supports, connect them to the right housing and help them stay housed.
It was developed during the Health & Homelessness Summit process (Nov 2022-Jan 2023) by more than 200 individuals representing nearly 70 organizations across sectors, including: community health and social services, institutional healthcare, education, emergency services, business and economic development, land and housing development, City of London staff, and staff from other levels of government.