‘We have to do something’: As winter approaches, City of London approves micro-shelter complex

London City councillors have approved a modular micro-shelter complex for the city’s south end.

Mayor Josh Morgan championed the project that will see 60 heated and air-conditioned modular units constructed near the intersection of Wilton Grove Road and Cheese Factory Road.

“I don’t expect this to be perfect, but I do think that we have to do something.”

The site will also include a trailer that will house washroom and laundry facilities.

There will be security and staff to support residents at the site. But the speed with which this project came together means there are still a number of unanswered questions.

The city’s Deputy City Manager of Social and Health Development said, “We’ve heard from a number of frontline agencies, community experts, outside experts and other municipalities that have shared their thoughts and obstacles that we need to overcome; including how we design the space, how we create space for all sorts of people.”

The city has committed about seven million dollars to run the site. The money is coming from a recently announced property tax surplus.

The plan passed unanimously but Ward 4 Councillor Susan Stevenson continues to raise concerns that the city will end up being tied to maintaining this site, or something similar to it, and it will become an ongoing cost to taxpayers.

“It feels like it’s contrary to the policies. It’s contrary to, again, the taxpayers that I listen to that are on the brink of homelessness themselves.”

City staff say the micro-shelters will be on city owned property acquired for industrial development, which gives the site a two-year window.

Ashley Rammeloo is a City Hall Director who is helping with the development of the project.

“So this would then either be, direction through 2027 budget amendment or the next multi-year budget to look at what the next phase looks like.”

Community and Protective Services Committee chair David Ferreira told the council meeting the next discussion may not only be about relocation, but about expansion, noting the ongoing housing pressures.

Ferriera said there has to be a more sustainable approach to the issue, which would include input from the province, “I would love to see us not have to use the micro shelter site. I would love to have that. But, you know, the foreseeable future, I think we can all agree that that’s probably not very likely.”

Morgan says the goal is to have most, if not all, of the micro-shelter units available by the end of the year.