Council stops short of declaring state of emergency on housing in London, Ont.
“It’s not enough,” Jeff Hanks shouted through a megaphone.
The words of the rally’s co-organizer were echoed by about 50 people who gathered on the steps of city hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Many said they are experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
The London Regional Social Forum and tenants advocacy group Acorn London called on city council to declare a state of emergency related to housing so that, “the province and federal governments can be alerted to act urgently to mitigate this crisis.”
They also asked for a political commitment that one-third of the 47,000 new homes that will be constructed in London by 2031 be affordable housing.
Speakers expressed alarm about the 200 deaths among homeless Londoners over the last two years.
Hanks added that the recently announced the Community Response to Homelessness initiative won’t be enough to solve the homelessness crisis on London streets.
“The [shelter] hubs and 24-hour service is a good start, but we should be giving people housing,” Hanks continued.
The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard from both organizations during its meeting — but stopped short of formally declaring a state of emergency after hearing from Civic Administration.
“We are not aware of any advantage to access resources either provincially or federally by declaring a state of emergency,” City Manager Lynne Livingstone explained.
She added that the city’s Emergency Management Plan is not designed to address a long-term crisis like housing, and told CTV News London, “What’s needed is the kind of strategies that this council has supported in terms of long-term sustainable solutions.”
Dozens of Londoners were outside city hall in London, Ont. on March 28, 2023 calling for a state of emergency on housing. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)“We aren’t moving fast enough,” Coun. Skylar Franke told council colleagues before putting forward a motion.
While it did not formally declare a state of emergency, the motion “recognizes that there is an untenable emergency in our community, and communities across the country, related to housing and homelessness.”
Council committed to undertake its existing plan of action including:
- $2.8 million for the Community Response to Homelessness
- Advocating for more federal and provincial funding
- Roadmap to 3,000 affordable homes by 2026
- Housing pledge of 47,000 new homes in a decade
- Working and funding non-profits in the sector
- Other opportunities to find housing and homelessness solutions
The motion was supported unanimously (14-0).
Several Londoners experiencing homelessness were optimistic about the outcome of the meeting, but organizers had hoped for more.
“A little bit disappointed,” admitted Hanks after the meeting. “I do understand council and where they are. It’s too bad that our state of emergency [policy] isn’t flexible enough to accommodate different needs.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.