Inside London's temporary winter shelter at Fanshawe Golf Course
“Words can’t even explain how wonderful I think this is.”
Impact London’s Site Manager George Clarke is full of optimism on the eve of London’s Winter Response to Homelessness.
Fanshawe Golf Course has been converted into a shelter and rapid re-housing program for Londoners currently living in tents.
Construction trailers converted into small bedrooms now surround one half of the club house which will offer common space, bathrooms and programming until March 1, 2022.
“We’re making a sense of home and a sense of community, so they can focus on themselves and not just what it takes to survive,” explained Clarke.
Impact London will operate the shelter with four staff, one manager and two security guards will be on site 24/7.
Programming will focus on building the life skills and accountability to be successfully housed.
The golf course is located in the northeast corner of the city, about seven kilometres from the nearest fire hall and 14 kilometres from the downtown.Fanshawe Golf Course has been converted into a shelter and rapid re-housing program for Londoners currently living in tents, Nov. 30, 2021. (Daryl Newcombe / CTV News)The remote location of the golf course, located between a busy rural road and lake, has raised concern about safety.
“Response times aren’t going to be as quick as if you are two blocks from the current fire hall, but the team here is well versed in supporting people through anything they need,” assures city hall’s Director of Housing Stability Craig Cooper.
Some local agencies will bring services to the site, and Impact London will offer a shuttle service to take residents to appointments elsewhere in the city.
“It is isolated, but I think that’s a benefit,” said Clarke. “They don’t have that (temptation) to wander off in the middle of the night or sneak out being way out here.”
Cooper says the location hasn’t impacted interest in living at the shelter.
“We have not hand anyone raise concern about not wanting to attend, everyone has been excited to come out.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.