London, Ont. shelter providers seek voice at meeting
Two of London's largest homeless shelters are hoping to weigh in at an upcoming committee meeting to review housing services after outcry over changes that would have limited the beds they could provide.
In separate letters, Jon DeActis, executive director at the Centre of Hope and Peter Rozeluk, executive director of Mission Services of London, have each asked for delegation status.
Back in Oct. 2021, the City of London put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to partners providing shelter for the homeless population.
But current shelter providers took issue with a requirement to have fewer than 50 beds per facility.
The Men's Mission, run by Mission Services of London, and the Salvation Army Centre of Hope both expressed concern about the potential impact of having to reduce their spaces.
The city has since cancelled the Request for Proposal, after receiving submissions that were too costly, and says it will have no impact on current services or existing funding.
The city said in a statement it will continue to work with providers to make improvements and to standardize intakes and efforts to secure permanent housing.
"These are important initiatives, and although the RFP was cancelled, there are a number of opportunities that we are still pursuing with partners to create meaningful and impactful changes to the shelter system this year," said Kevin Dickins, deputy city manager for Social and Health Development.
He added, "The solution to homelessness is housing, and we continue to focus on our collective efforts as a system of providers to focus on housing and housing with supports. We are encouraged by providers that are shifting in this way and we know there will be further improvements to come.”
A report will be presented at the meeting proposing to accept agreements with seven local shelters for one year at a cost of $9.89 million that will maintain the existing number of beds.
The Community and Protective Services Committee will be meeting on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Who should lead the Liberals? 'None of the above,' poll finds
As questions loom over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, a new Nanos Research poll commissioned for CTV News says a quarter of Canadians say none of the potential candidates appeal to them.
U.S. Justice Department brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Donald Trump
The U.S. Justice Department on Friday disclosed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Donald Trump, charging a man who said he had been tasked by a government official before this week's election with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect.
Canada rent report: What landlords are asking tenants to pay
Average asking rents declined nationally on a year-over-year basis for the first time in more than three years in October, said a report out Thursday.
N.S. school 'deeply sorry' for asking service members not to wear uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremony
An elementary school in the Halifax area has backed away from a request that service members not wear uniforms to the school's Remembrance Day ceremony.
Remembrance Day: What's open and closed in Canada?
While banks and post offices will be closed nationwide on Remembrance Day, shops and businesses could be open depending on where you live in Canada.
48,584 space heaters recalled in Canada after burn injury in U.S.
Health Canada has announced a recall for electric space heaters over potential fire and burn risks, a notice published Thursday reads.
Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam. The violence was condemned as antisemitic
Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in Amsterdam by hordes of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people, Dutch authorities said Friday. Five people were treated at hospitals and dozens were arrested after the attacks, which were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel and across Europe.
'Big frustration': How a limited MAID window affects Alzheimer's patients
A move by Quebec to allow a person with a serious and incurable illness like Alzheimer's to request MAID months or years before their condition leaves them unable to consent has been met with praise, confusion and criticism.
Winnipeg teacher who faces voyeurism charge now accused of sexually assaulting former student
A Winnipeg teacher previously charged with voyeurism and a number of other offences has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a former student.