London homeless housing program to close 48 supporting housing units amid funding shortfall

House of Hope. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

Less than three years after opening its doors to Londoners escaping street level homelessness, House of Hope has announced it will be forced to close when its current funding runs out in November.

According to London Cares, the agency the operates House of Hope, the decision is the result of unsuccessful efforts to secure $1.37-million of ongoing provincial funding.

“House of Hope worked,” said Chris Moss, Executive Director of London Cares. “It demonstrated what is possible when organizations come together around people with the highest needs.

In October 2023, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and London Cares partnered to establish 25 supportive housing spaces inside fully-furnished apartments at 362 Dundas St. that offer comprehensive 24/7 health and social support services.

Building on early success, in March 2024 city hall redirected $2.7 million over two years to create additional highly supportive housing units at House of Hope, bringing the total number of units to 48.

A news release says the supportive units provided vulnerable people experiencing significant health and mental health challenges, chronic homelessness, high emergency department use with:

• 24/7 case management
• Health care and harm reduction supports
• Probation and parole support
• Family reunification pathways
• Life skills and housing stabilization
• Partnerships with St. Joseph’s, London InterCommunity Health Centre, Thames Valley Family Health Team, and others

The organization says its immediate priority is ensuring residents are supported through the transition with dignity, compassion, and as much continuity as possible, while also supporting affected staff members.

Moss adds, “This is an incredibly difficult moment because the outcomes were meaningful for residents and the community. We remain hopeful that we can continue building as a city on what worked while pursuing real solutions for people with acute vulnerabilities.”

Local NDP MPPs issued a news release after the closure was announced on Monday.

“The province is washing its hands of responsibility while vulnerable Londoners are pushed back into instability because this government refused to fund what was clearly working,” stated London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan. “Why is Premier Ford choosing to put people back on the street while wasting taxpayer money at the same time?”

“This government is trying to pretend that everything is under control while cutting support for one of the few programs proven to help people with the highest needs,” said London West MPP Peggy Sattler.

MPP Teresa Armstrong added, ““House of Hope reduced pressure on shelters, hospitals, and emergency services while helping vulnerable people find stability and dignity. Instead of protecting valuable programs that work, this government continues to ignore the wellbeing of communities across this province and abandon people when they need support most.”

CTV News is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Health about its decision not to fund House of Hope.

The closure affects 45 residents and 24 staff, including direct frontline delivery, maintenance and janitorial, as well as back office support staff.

London Cares has expressed gratitude to its partners who made house of hope possible, and will remain committed to working collaboratively with partners, governments, health-care organizations, and the community to advocate for sustainable solutions.