A motion has been approved by a city council committee to provide $687,000 in funding to London’s Ark Aid Street Mission to extend its emergency winter shelter beds. This funding will allow Ark Aid to keep 120 beds open at four city locations until the end of July. Originally, councillors had approved $3 million in funding to provide these beds until May 31 as part of the city’s cold weather homelessness response. Ark Aid executive director Sarah Campbell expresses her gratitude for the extended funding and emphasizes the importance of developing a year-round plan to support the over 2000 people living on the streets of London.
City Staff will be collaborating with Ark Aid to develop a year-round strategy for overnight beds. Campbell sees this as a crucial next step and refers to it as a “homework assignment.” Despite the significant costs involved in providing these services, Campbell highlights the positive impact they have had on the community. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, who introduced the motion along with Mayor Josh Morgan, emphasizes the importance of measuring the success of the program through metrics. He commends Ark Aid for their efforts in helping individuals reconnect with jobs and families, ultimately leading to life-changing outcomes.
While the motion to approve funding was met with unanimous support from council members, concerns were voiced regarding the city’s homelessness response. Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson raised the issue of the concentration of homeless services in Old East Village, her ward. She highlighted the lack of available services and spaces for individuals in need, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The funding request and committee recommendation will now be presented at the next Council meeting on May 14. Additionally, a proposal for a $130,000 funding extension for Safe Space London, put forward by Ward 6 Coun. Sam Trosow, was referred to the next SPPC meeting on May 28.
The decision to approve funding for Ark Aid’s emergency winter shelter beds has been seen as a positive step towards addressing homelessness in London. The extension of funding will allow Ark Aid to continue providing vital services to those in need until the end of July. The focus now shifts towards developing a sustainable year-round plan to support individuals experiencing homelessness in the city. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis emphasizes the importance of measuring the impact of these services and highlights the success stories of individuals who have benefitted from Ark Aid’s support.
While the unanimous approval of the funding motion is a positive outcome, concerns remain about the concentration of homeless services in certain areas of the city, such as Old East Village. Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson stresses the urgent need for additional services and spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness. The fate of the funding request and committee recommendation now rests with the upcoming Council meeting on May 14. Additionally, a proposal for funding extension for Safe Space London has been referred to a future SPPC meeting, signaling ongoing discussions and considerations for supporting vulnerable populations in the city.
