Have questions about London's new homeless hubs? Public Q&A sessions have started

Londoners have the opportunity to get involved and ask officials questions about the implementation of the hubs that are part of the city's efforts to get more people into housing. 

The first of five public information sessions kicked off at the South London Community Centre Wednesday with approximately 50 people attending. Similar sessions will take place throughout the week.

The city, in partnership with social service providers, will open three to five hubs by the end of the calendar year with the aim of providing wrap-around care that's available 24-7 for people experiencing homelessness. The locations have not been announced but this phase of the project is estimated to cost approximately $2.7 million.  

Residents asked a variety of questions at Wednesday's meeting, including how the hubs will work, the services they'll provide, a breakdown of the costs to run them, and the people they intend to support. 

Daniel McNamara has lived in downtown London for almost seven years and on his daily walks, he comes across many people living on the streets, in dire need of supports and services.

"Something has to be done and I think it's terribly important for the city and we who are in the city to try and help these individuals," McNamara said. 

McNamara had questions around hubs' operations, such as the number of frontline agencies it would take to run each one, and how the $25 million that was anonymously donated to the city will be allocated.

"I came tonight wanting to get some specific understanding of how that fund operates, and how the operation of the fund relates to the institution of these first five hubs," he said.

The turnout was encouraging for the city's deputy manager, Kevin Dickins, who helped answer questions along with outreach workers. 

"It tells me the community is engaged about this working well and they're watching. They want more details which is good because it gives us an opportunity to bring the community along," Dickins said. 

"It's a healthy dose of skepticism, but I don't know what else we would expect at this point. Seeing people asking questions is a good sign."

Dickins emphasized the importance of continuing to keep the public informed throughout the process.

On the same evening, in the city's east-end, Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson held a constituent town hall, where she and London Police's deputy chief, Paul Bastien answered community members' questions about housing and safety in the area. More than 100 people were in attendance.