Supporting Londoner’s most vulnerable community members (July 26)

Issued July 26, 2022
We were encouraged that representatives of #TheForgotten519 were open to meeting today. We share the concerns that they have expressed for London’s most vulnerable and also share in the sense of urgency to create solutions that will have an impact on people whose lives are at risk. We also know that frontline workers are doing work that is incredibly challenging, and that is often heartbreaking. City staff, as well as staff in the organizations across the community who deliver support services, also experience this first-hand.

The issues underlying homelessness, addictions and mental health conditions that are prevalent among our vulnerable population are complex and multi-layered. We know that the people who are experiencing homelessness, struggling with addictions and mental health issues are best served when the work is done collaboratively and with the support of multiple agencies across the system. Unilateral solutions without broad involvement and support have not proven successful. We have strongly encouraged this newly formed coalition to meet with the London Homeless Coalition to discuss their recommended actions and to also work with them in identifying collaborative solutions. The City has made every effort, both from a financial and resource perspective, to tackle these problems together, on the advice and direction of and with cooperation from community agencies. We were also disappointed with the outcome of the meeting and are concerned that this new organization does not intend to work with established service providers.

Our response through the CIR has and will continue to be compassionate and caring, with outreach and offer of supports as the first step. We recognize that each encampment is unique and have approached them as such. In all instances, the first concern is for the health and safety of the individuals and of the surrounding area. In instances where an encampment is not posing any risk to the individuals or the surrounding area, they have been allowed to remain in place. Where encampments have been removed, individuals have been supported. Every effort is made to safely handle and store personal valuables of people who have moved or during the clean-up of a vacant encampment when valuables are left behind. When staff are engaging with encampments, they also consider food security, availability of water, warm clothing, as other examples of the factors that may impact an individual’s well being.

The City’s focus has and will continue to be on solutions that move individuals towards housing, and we have made progress on that front. We are committed to working together to address these issues and to explore new solutions collectively and collaboratively. We are concerned about the actions they are demanding. These are complex social issues that require all levels of government, community agencies and other stakeholders to work together to provide public, social and health-related supports.

 

Last modified:Tuesday, August 02, 2022