A community response to homelessness
Now is the time to give and be part of a generational legacy for our community
REAL ESTATE IS about land, buildings, development, zoning, builders, rentals, tenant and landlord rights, sprawl, farm vs. rural … the list goes on and on.
Perhaps the most common element we imagine is housing, which takes many forms ― estates, single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, rental apartments, rural farms, mews, townhouses, tiny homes, etc.
Yesterday, we were reminded of the most important element of housing: that housing is a human right.
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the ‘Health & Homelessness Whole of Community System Response’ was announced. This followed 100 days of intense work on behalf of 230-plus people from some 70 local organizations. The plan outlines a complete system of support. It is centred on those who need the assistance, and the workers providing the care.
“If you sleep warm, with a roof over your head, you need to step up for all those who aren’t so blessed”
The front line of the system would be 12 to 15 hubs throughout London providing 24/7 low barrier shelter and care, including primary healthcare, mental health support, food, bathrooms, showers, resting space and supportive counselling. Each hub could accommodate 25 to 30 individuals, who would eventually be transitioned to more permanent, supportive housing.
Supportive housing would be developed immediately, with 100 spaces coming on stream this year, and a further 600 in the next three years. The system includes new centralized data systems as well as a transportation system to move people within the network as required.
This solution to the homelessness crisis is essential for London to reach its economic potential. It’s essential to ending the suffering and death we’ve witnessed over the last few years ― over 200 souls have died on our streets since 2020. This is the moment ― this is the time for our community to demonstrate we can change, work together, find solutions and get them built. We need to lead the country and model what a community-wide response can generate.
Every citizen in this city needs to be part of the solution. It is so wonderful to be part of the change. You simply need to visit www.fundforchange.ca. Make a donation ― it doesn’t matter how much. Donors include our amazing founders, who anonymously committed $25 million to the cause. They also include new philanthropists, such as a generous 12-year-old who donated his birthday money of $35. They each set an example for us all to follow.
After 100 days of hard work, compromise and soul searching, our community put forth a plan of action. The end of the beginning has arrived. We now must fund and build the solution. If you sleep warm, with a roof over your head, you need to step up for all those who aren’t so blessed.
Market analysis provided by Marcus Plowright, Sales Representative, A Team London. Marcus can be reached at 519-872-8326 or [email protected].
High- and low-priced real estate listings around town this week
London East
Low
Address: 305-1172 Hamilton Road
MLS number: 40363748
List price: $179,900
Days on market: 42
Size: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 505 square feet
Listing agent: Gord Vandevooren, Sales Representative, Century 21 First Canadian Corp.
High
Address: 1745 Kilally Road
MLS number: 40377971
List price: $3,250,000
Days on market: 4
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4,050 square feet
Listing agent:James Hudson Smith, Sales Representative, Sutton Group – Select Realty Inc.
London North
Low
Address: 54-1220 Royal York Road
MLS number: 40365229
List price: $364,900
Days on market: 42
Size: 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,150 square feet
Listing agent: Jordan Smeltzer, Sales Representative, Oak And Key Real Estate Brokerage Inc.
High
Address: 565 Leyton Crescent
MLS number: 40328768
List price: $3,280,000
Days on market: 144
Size: 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5,966 square feet
Listing agent: John H. Crosby, Sales Representative, Royal Lepage Triland Realty
London South & West
Low
Address: 32-198 Springbank Drive
MLS number: 40325975
List price: $135,900
Days on market: 152
Size: 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 640 square feet
Listing agent: Zahra Khawari, Sales Representative, PC275 Realty Inc.
High
Address: 75 Woods Edge Close
MLS number: 40351626
List price: $3,375,000
Days on market: 29
Size: 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 8,308 square feet
Listing agent: Owen Price, Sales Representative, Keller William Lifestyle Realty
Disclaimer: London Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing is separate from the statistical data provided, which is in no way a part of their advertisement.