City hall resumes search for homeless hub locations and operators

A formal Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) posted on the City of London’s bids and tenders website seeks new lead agencies and locations for low-barrier service hubs that will temporarily shelter people experiencing homelessness.

In 2023, city council endorsed the Whole of Community Response to Homelessness that includes a plan to open 600 supportive housing spaces and up to 15 service hubs to get people out of tents and on a pathway towards stable housing.

To date, only two hubs have been approved by council and opened.

The new REOI seeks lead agencies willing to, “have, source, establish, and operationalize a Hub location(s) to provide for a range of care and services, including 24/7 safe spaces with access to basic needs, healthcare services and housing supports.”

A new hub would have up to 35 beds (a combination of transitional and respite spaces).

“Respondents are required to provide a Hub location(s) through which to deliver the services,” reads the REOI document. “Agencies will also be responsible for fostering and maintaining good neighbour relations within the community.”

Selecting locations for hubs has proven controversial in the past.

In 2023, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley backed out of a proposal to convert a motel on Fanshawe Park Road into a hub after learning from the community that it would require displacing an existing group of low-income tenants.

In 2024, a request to rezone the former radio station at 743 Wellington Rd. was abandoned in the face of neighbourhood backlash.

Mayor Josh Morgan has stated his belief that London may not require as many hubs as initially envisioned (15) if there is sufficient flow-through of individuals into supportive housing units.

An Indigenous-led hub is operating on the grounds of the Parkwood Institute, and the youth-hub opened on the campus of Victoria Hospital in November.

So far, the city website lists only two “Plan Takers” on its REOI webpage:

• London Cares Homeless Response Services
• Valron Holdings Limited (Sarnia)

Interested organizations can respond with an Expression of Interest until 2 p.m. on January 31.

A separate provincially-led process to open Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs across Ontario is occurring at the same time.

CMHA Thames Valley is acting as the lead agency in support of London’s bid for one of 19 HART Hubs.

Applications for the remaining HART Hubs are under review and will be announced in the coming weeks.

According the Ministry of Health, “All HART Hubs will have the goal of being operational by April 1, 2025.”