Mayor's first 'state of the city' speech brings $25M gift for homeless crisis
CBC
An anonymous family has donated $25-million to help start combating homelessness and poverty in London, Mayor Josh Morgan announced at his first state of the city speech Tuesday morning.
There were no details of what the money will be used for, but it will go toward a plan to build a "permanent and sustainable system" that will replace the emergency response to the addiction and mental health crisis visible on the city's streets, Morgan said.
"Housing provides an opportunity to heal," Morgan said to the crowd of 1,300 business leaders and politicians. In the parking lot across the road for the convention centre, where many attendees parked, an unsheltered person had spent the night in tent.
"However, it does not, on its own, solve complex mental health and addictions issues. It does not on its own address poverty, food security, or skills training," Morgan said.
Morgan also highlighted the city's successes and made announcements, including: