Construction of micro-shelter community for homeless Londoners shifts into high gear with arrival of cabins

Modular units arrived Monday at the site of a micro-shelter community slated to open in January. CTV London’s Daryl Newcombe.

City hall’s micro-shelter community began taking shape on Monday with the delivery of the first set of modular cabins for homeless Londoners.

A major milestone for the project, a line of transport trucks waited on Cheese Factory Road with the first micro-shelters delivered from Stoney Creek based Fero International.

Modest in appearance, three of the brown shelters with white trim fit on each flatbed.

“By the end of the day on Dec. 23, 20 shelter cabins will be delivered to the site. Electrical work will continue as the cabins arrive,” explained Ashley Rammeloo, Director of Water, Wastewater, and Storm Water.

Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis is pleased with the progress to date. “Everybody has been really, really determined to make this happen. We are getting very close to being ready to open it up and start welcoming people.”

Lewis credits having a clear path for the project, including funding, available products, and an efficient procurement process.

The city will spend up to $7 million constructing and operating the 60 micro-shelter community in southeast London until April 2027.

The cost to purchase the 60 micro-shelters was $1.26 million.

“The remaining cabins are scheduled to arrive during the week of Jan. 5. While the cabins will not be move-in ready upon delivery, placement and servicing connections can begin once they are on site,” Rammeloo said.

A private company, Xpera, was hired by city hall to operate the facility, and last week city staff met with frontline agencies to discuss the provision of support services to the residents.

“Partnerships are going to play a key role when it comes to identifying appropriate tenants to move into these shelters,” explained the deputy mayor. ”That’s already been happening. This is not a site for everyone.”

The remaining 40 micro-shelters will arrive in the coming weeks along with some larger support trailers for meals, washrooms, showers, laundry and an office.

“During the week of Jan. 5, support trailers will be delivered, road paving will take place, and water, sewer and electrical connections will begin,” Rammeloo explained.

She added that the project is on schedule to open in a few weeks, “Subject to final site readiness, move-in remains on track for mid-January 2026.”