The federal government has committed $5 million over two years to help address the homelessness crisis in London, Ontario, particularly the issue of encampments. London MP Peter Fragiskatos announced the funding, emphasizing that it will be used to transition people out of camps and into shelters or permanent housing. The funds are flexible and can be used for building new housing, expanding shelter space, renovating shelters, providing rent support, or offering treatment for addiction, which is a significant issue for many living in encampments.
London Mayor Josh Morgan had previously urged the federal government to release some of the $250 million allocated for homelessness in the spring budget, a request that was fulfilled with this funding. However, the Ontario provincial government has not matched the federal contribution, with the province citing a $21 million allocation for homelessness prevention this year.
While the $5 million is seen as a step forward, local advocates, such as Sarah Campbell from Ark Aid Mission, caution that it is only a short-term solution. She stresses that more support is needed to fully address the scale of homelessness in the city. The city and federal government are finalizing details before the funds are released, but the commitment is seen as a crucial first step toward addressing the crisis.
Read the full story on CBC: