London city officials are suggesting the establishment of a new temporary homeless shelter capable of accommodating up to 60 individuals in a field south of Hwy. 401, currently used for agricultural purposes. The proposed site at 1710 Wilton Grove Rd., situated east of Highbury Avenue, aligns with various criteria for constructing mini modular homes that could be operational by late December, according to a recent report.
The city-owned land is deemed suitable for development, being over 400 meters away from schools and daycare facilities, not situated in a floodplain, and expected to have minimal impact on nearby commercial and residential zones. It is located along a two-lane road with an 80 km/hr speed limit, featuring a designated bike lane and surrounded by farming neighbors. Mayor Josh Morgan utilized his executive powers to fast-track the staff’s investigation without the need for council approval.
The city council is set to evaluate the proposal, including the site selection, during a committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Mayor Morgan emphasized the critical need for shelter, especially during the winter months, highlighting the current plight of individuals residing on the streets in downtown and Old East Village due to the lack of alternatives.
The temporary modular housing initiative is anticipated to remain operational until April 2027, with an estimated construction and operation cost of $7 million. City officials confirmed the availability of funds in the contingency reserve and proposed an accelerated tender process to commence construction promptly upon approval.
The micro-modular shelters are designed to be compact, requiring less than 10 square meters with no foundation, equipped with heating, air conditioning, and accessibility features. The site will offer amenities such as water, sewer, and electricity, along with outdoor spaces for pets, units for couples, recovery facilities, and 24/7 security.
Mayor Morgan stressed that the shelters are intended as a transitional solution towards permanent housing, emphasizing the city’s broader efforts to address homelessness through supportive housing initiatives and collaborations with developers. The proposed site’s location at the city’s southeast edge, bordering manufacturing areas and farmland, presents challenges in terms of public transportation accessibility.
Wilton Grove Road is currently serviced by a single London Transit route, operating infrequently and primarily on weekdays to accommodate shift workers in the vicinity. Enhancing transit connectivity to the city center is crucial, according to Chris Moss, Executive Director of London Cares, to facilitate access to essential services like healthcare appointments and mental health support.
Despite the logistical hurdles posed by the remote location, Moss advocates for intentional use of the shelter to assist individuals in stabilizing their circumstances and transitioning to supportive housing. She acknowledges the need for a balanced approach to service distribution, considering the sustainability of services in the downtown core and Old East Village.
Mayor Morgan highlighted the positive outcomes observed at Chatham-Kent’s micro-shelter site, underscoring the potential for London’s shelter project to provide critical support and community engagement. The initiative aims to offer temporary accommodation with the goal of empowering individuals to progress towards more permanent housing solutions.