City staff are touting the success of this year’s temporary winter shelter for homeless Londoners
Global News
London’s winter response to homelessness program might be ending for the season, but the city’s commitment to addressing the issue has not.
London’s winter response to homelessness program might be ending for the season, but the city’s commitment to addressing the issue has not.
On Tuesday, the program operating temporary winter shelters, giving clients access to common space, bathrooms and other supports, at the Fanshawe Golf Course ended.
Between late November 2021 and earlier this week, roughly 30 people lived in construction trailers converted into small bedrooms on the city-owned property.
Craig Cooper, London’s director of housing stability, says since the program ended earlier this week, none of the participants have returned to unsheltered homelessness.
“We had about 18 individuals moved into permanent housing across the city. We have a number of locations that have supported folks, which is great to see, and a lot of it was based on their choice as well — they wanted to move to these locations,” Cooper said.
Cooper noted that a few people did have to transition into traditional shelters or private rooms in shelters in the interim.
“I think with anything, any model we run, you have to be flexible and there’s always hiccups and surprises along the way, but there’s there also always great successes,” he said.