‘When deaths happen, who will be accountable?’ London’s micro-shelter project for homeless Londoners faces tough questions

Unity Housing’s executive director is expressing doubts over a private company running London’s micro-shelter community. Daryl Newcombe explains.

Earth-moving equipment is preparing a cornfield on Cheese Factory Road to become the location of London’s 60 micro-shelter community for homeless Londoners.

However, as the project races to open in January, the number of voices expressing concern is growing.

On Tuesday, the Executive Director of Unity Project warned members of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) about the impact hiring a private risk mitigation and investigation company (Xpera) to operate the facility could have on residents.

Chuck Lazenby suggested frontline non-profits would be called upon to fill any gaps in care, “The reliance on resource-strapped charities to buffer a for-profit company reflects real practical risks for the people who will live there.”

Robert Klemm, who was previously homeless, was blunt about the risk of having vulnerable people living in such a remote location.

“When deaths happen, who will be accountable?” Klemm asked the room.

There was no answer.

He identified himself as one of the Londoners who lived in a remote winter shelter at Fanshawe Golf Course in 2021.

“Moving people to a cornfield beside the 401 removes them from services,” he explained. “(It) sends a clear message that you are not welcome in our community.”

Lazenby’s delegation to the community included a blunt assessment of the city-led project, “Combined with a site that isolates residents from the community, there is understandable fear that we are drifting away from the values of dignity, inclusion and compassion.”

Coun. Sam Trosow put forward a motion requesting that staff report back to the committee with more details about transportation, services from frontline agencies and emergency response to the site.

It’s aiming to open in January, but Coun. Sam Trosow put forward a motion seeking a report with more details about transit service providers and emergency services.

City Manager Sandra Datars Bere asserted, “We are not coming here without all the information. We’re trying to come to you with as much information as we have currently.”

City staff said the design and procurement process has included consultation, as well as visiting micro-shelter communities in other cities to learn best practices.

Frontline agencies have been invited to a meeting with city staff on December 18 to discuss providing services to the residents—although the specific needs won’t be known until the individuals are chosen and assessed.

“Feedback from community partners has already been embedded into the project at this point and has been reflected in the site plan alterations and the service alterations,” added Kevin Dickins, Deputy City Manager Social and Health Development.

The location of the micro-shelters will not have bus service on the weekends, and the closest stop requires walking down a road that lacks a sidewalk.

Staff assured the committee they would re-examine the possibility of building a bus stop closer to the site in the Spring, and it was revealed that Xpera will provide transportation for residents of the micro-shelters, although the details are still being worked out.

“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good,” said Coun. Steve Lehman. “We will learn as we go along and adjust as we go along.”

Coun. David Ferreira described his feelings about the project as, “frustrated, but reluctantly resigned to it. I think that’s probably exactly what I feel.”

Members of SPPC did not support Trosow’s motion, it lost 5-9.

The mayor told the committee, “This is somewhere that we can make work. This is somewhere that the public can support, and that we can take the opportunity to bring an additional 60 spaces online in a very short period of time.”

Council supported using up to $7 million to construct and operate the facility until April 2027.

Staff said they will send memos to Council about progress on the micro-shelter community.