Wilton Grove Road shelter site another step closer after committee endorsement

At least 60 people could be off London’s streets and living in so-called tiny homes by the end of this year. Bryan Bicknell reports.

At least 60 people could be off London’s streets and living in so-called tiny homes by the end of this year.

“We have to deal with difficult decisions all the time at this council. And the difficult decision for other people is trying to find a place at night to sleep through the winter,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan Wednesday, speaking to city council’s Community and Protective Services Committee.

The committee has endorsed the mayor’s proposal for a micro modular shelter at 1710 Wilton Grove Road in southeast London.

It will be home to 60 heated shelter units, along with a central trailer with washroom and laundry facilities.

City staff told councillors they considered every available publicly owned property in the city, but this was the only one that met all the criteria. Coun. Sam Trosow said he was disappointed he wasn’t given other options.

“That we were told ‘this is the one.’ And I’m troubled by that. I would like, as a council committee, to be able to look at some alternatives, and not just be given one,” he exclaimed.

Coun. Steven Hillier urged the committee to defer the decision, but there were no takers.

“We need this. But what I don’t like is the process and how this was pushed through quickly. I appreciate the mayor not using his special mayor powers to shove this through, so we are having this conversation. I just wish it happened a month ago,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis said, with winter approaching, the timeline is too tight to delay the project.

“This is the site folks. We either endorse this, or we do nothing. I’ve heard a lot of you say doing nothing is not acceptable. And I know there are people out there on the street right now. The alternate to this is that people continue to be sheltered in doorways, in alleys, in parking lots and neighbourhood parks,” said Lewis.

The shelter site plan is approved for up to two years, with the land slated for industrial development in the future.

The cost is projected at $7 million, which would come from the contingency and reserve fund.

Mayor Josh Morgan used his strong mayor powers to push the plan through, but has opted to put final approval to a council vote.

The motion goes to the full council next Tuesday.

“We talk about this, make a noticeable difference? I don’t know. Maybe it will help in the downtown core. Maybe it will help in the Old East Village. Maybe it will help in our parks or doorways. But it absolutely will help for the people who are going to be in these spaces,” said Morgan.