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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.