London readies itself if province announces funding for more homeless hubs

City hall is renewing its search for locations and lead agencies to operate low-barrier service hubs for homeless Londoners in anticipation that the provincial government might offer new funding.

Matt Feldberg, Director of Municipal Housing and Industrial Development tells CTV News that the city wants to be ready with approved plans should operating dollars be made available.

“We don't have any defined operating dollars from the province or even locally,” Feldberg explains. “We're optimistic that the provincial government might come forward with something building off the HART hub proposals and, the work that they're doing there.”

Only two hubs have opened since the Whole of Community Response to Homelessness was endorsed by city council in 2023.

A formal Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) was posted on the city website on December 18.

So far, three organizations have been listed as “plan takers” on the city website, London Cares, Valron Holdings Ltd. (Sarnia), and a numbered company based in London.

Expressions of Interest can be submitted until January 31.

Lead agencies are expected to secure a location as part of their submission.

Feldberg confirms the location requirements have not changed since 2023, “(they’re) still along transit corridors and arterial roads. Those are the two priority locations.”

The new REOI seeks lead agencies willing to, “have, source, establish, and operationalize a Hub location(s) to provide for a range of care and services, including 24/7 safe spaces with access to basic needs, healthcare services and housing supports.”

A new hub would have a mix of up to 35 transitional and respite spaces.