4 service depots open as 'life-saving measure' for London's in homeless encampments

London's effort to prevent deaths of people who sleep outside entered a new stage on Tuesday, as four temporary service depots began operating near homeless encampments along the Thames River. 

The depots are simple affairs: Workers set up a folding table and hand out water, food and harm reduction supplies to anyone who needs them. Outreach workers also provide information about fire safety and carry out wellness checks to make sure those sleeping outside aren't becoming victims of violence. 

The depots also include port-a-potty washrooms. 

The depots are set up for an hour or two at four different locations along the river:

Once the supplies are handed out, the depots are packed away and moved to the next location. 

While the hubs aren't fancy, it's often a lack of basic needs such as food, water and sanitation leading to deaths among those who sleep outside, said Kevin Dickins, a deputy city manager heading the city's homelessness response.

"Individuals are growing more and more desperate," he said Tuesday at one of the hub locations in Cavendish Park. "It's hard to pay your way out of this deep, deep poverty. We're seeing health conditions deteriorate for those who are sleeping unsheltered." 

The service depots will be temporary, operating only for the next few months to provide a basic level of service quickly until five permanent service hubs can get up and running in the fall, Dickins said. 

Staff are ready to alter the service depots if necessary in response to changing needs or concerns from residents. 

"The health and safety of people in encampments are at conditions that we've not experienced before," he said. "We needed to act right away and move quickly." 

The hubs will cost about $400,000 in additional city services, including garbage collection. The rest of the service will be provided by existing contracts with service agencies, including London Cares. 

Outreach workers identified a need to step up supports for London's homeless population as their numbers grew and health needs increased, said Chantelle McDonald, the director of service at London Cares.

"We heard a lot of appreciation. Being there at the same time every day of the week is important," she said. "We're trying to bring services that will decrease the desperation. I heard a lot of 'Thank yous' for something as simple as a washroom."