'It's life and death': Shelter funding in London unclear as winter approaches

It's become an annual question in London as the leaves turn and the temperature falls: How will the city's overnight homeless shelters be funded? 

As it stands now, 90 beds shared between Ark Aid Mission's two shelters in East London are only funded until the end of December. City council voted in June to spend $1.8 million to fund Ark Aid until year's end.

That expiration date is now weeks away, raising again the potential of shelter beds closing just as the life-threatening, sub-zero temperatures arrive. 

"It's pretty drastic," said Tyler, who often sleeps outside and didn't want his last name used. "It's hard to see all these people out here. Realistically, it's just going to get worse. When winter comes, it's like life and death."

Tyler was one of a few dozen people who lined up on Tuesday at the corner of Lyle Street and Dundas Street, where the charity City Street Outreach was handing out food, as they do a few times a week. 

Paul Presant helps organize the food service. He also worked previously with Ark Aid. He said the number of people who sleep outside in London has grown sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, inflation has pushed up the cost of living.

"The numbers have exploded," he said about the number of people on London's streets. "There was a time when you knew everybody on the street, now it's impossible. If they don't continue shelter funding, it would be a disaster." 

Billie, who has experience living unsheltered, agrees. She also didn't want to give her name.

"People are freezing and dying out here, I've had friends die and it's not right," said Billie. "Right now it's a mess. There needs to be a lot more funding." 

Politicians who spoke to CBC News about the funding question don't disagree and say the funding needs to flow before the snow flies.. 

Mayor Josh Morgan, speaking on CBC's London Morning on Monday, acknowledged the need but said the city can't support a shelter system without help from senior governments. 

"The ability to fund those beds in the future is very dependent on other levels of government coming through with specific funding envelopes," he said. 

Morgan pointed to $250 million announced in the federal government's spring budget to help end encampments and transition people into stable housing. So far, that money hasn't been allocated. 

"This is a great news announcement but the money needs to flow before winter," said Morgan. "It is getting cold. We need the support now."