A less-than-whole response

The multimillion-dollar plan to address homelessness in London has underwhelmed ― and our most disadvantaged continue to pay the price

THE HOUSING MARKET in London and region has stabilized. Pricing and housing inventory has been relatively normalized for the last year. But for the most disadvantaged among us, health and homelessness continues to be a worsening problem.

For those experiencing homelessness in our community, their numbers are growing and their struggles increasingly severe. In January 2023, the mayor announced the anonymous $25-million donation along with matching funds totalling $5 million, to raise a staggering $35 million from our community to help fight against homelessness in our city. The Whole of Community System Response came together and created a roadmap of hubs and supportive housing.

The Whole of Community System Response to Health and Homelessness in London and its leadership have had a year to make significant change, with an enormous war chest and almost full support from municipal, provincial and federal politicians and staff. Yet from the growing need on our streets to the struggling heroes on the front line, just about everyone can attest that the problem is only getting worse.

Not enough is being done ― we are not moving fast enough. There are two hubs opened that are highly specialized, limited in size and restricted to serving unique populations. Permanent supportive housing of significant volume is simply not being proposed, approved and built with any urgency.

Out on the streets, among those trying to survive, a message has been scratched into a metal façade. It reads: $35 million and we’re still out here…

Market analysis provided by Marcus Plowright, Sales Representative, A Team London. Marcus can be reached at 519-872-8326 or marcus@ateamlondon.ca.

High- and low-priced real estate listings around town this week

London East

Low

Address: 1106-573 Mornington Avenue
MLS number: 40472962
List price: $179,000
Days on market: 246
Size: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 680 square feet
Listing agent: Sean Monteith, Sales Representative, Nu-Vista Premiere Realty Inc., Brokerage

High

Address: 1745 Kilally Road
MLS number: 40517811
List price: $2,675,000
Days on market: 148
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4,760 square feet
Listing agent: James Hudson Smith, Sales Representative, Sutton Group – Select Realty Inc.

London North

Low

Address: 104-1600 Adelaide Street North
MLS number: 40573911
List price: $299,900
Days on market: 5
Size: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 729 square feet
Listing agent: Drew Johnson, Broker of Record, Coldwell banker Power Realty, Brokerage

High

Address: 1509 Ryersie Road
MLS number: 40543261
List price: $2,999,900
Days on market: 61
Size: 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4,977 square feet
Listing agent: Drew Johnson, Broker of Record, Coldwell Banker Power Realty, Brokerage

London South & West

Low

Address: 904-1103 Jalna Boulevard
MLS number: 40574583
List price: $259,900
Days on market: 4
Size: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 600 square feet
Listing agent: Judy Zhang, Broker, Century 21 First Canadian Corp.

High

Address: 3845 Deer Trail
MLS number: 40562817
List price: $2,999,999
Days on market: 27
Size: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4,442 square feet
Listing agent: Mark Morningstar, Sales Representative, StreetCity Realty Inc. Brokerage

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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.