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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.