Councillor pushes for micro-structure homeless solution

Coun. Michael van Holst is continuing his pursuit of a homeless transition solution, this time pitching the idea of a  number of Conestoga Huts, micro-structures that resemble a covered wagon, to house people who don't have another place to live. 

A larger-scale proposal by the councillor that included a community tent was quashed by city staff last month and now he's asking for a smaller pilot project.

The Ward 1 councillor put forward the idea at the Jan. 21 meeting of the Community and Protective Services Committee (CAPS) meeting, putting forward a list of transitional housing options.

"There's many ways people can move from a shelter or sleeping in the rough to their own apartment and I think it's worthwhile for us to recognize that having a bunch of those in place might be valuable," said van Holst.

Conestoga Huts are small structures that are about 5.5 square metres, look like a covered wagon and cost about $1,000 to build. Beyond a small front porch is a locking front door, room for a bed and storage, along with a rear window. Each hut would be numbered to allow occupants to have a mailing address.

The initial pitch also included providing housing near an area where residents can grow food, a large temporary structure that could house people but also double as a mess hall, community centre and workshop with Conestoga Huts nearby, and a campground-style area where tents could be erected with small fences around them. The total price tag was estimated to be less than $3 million.

Feedback from city staff

Staff who work on homeless prevention asked people who experience homelessness about the idea, but the response was warm at best.

"We've not seen anybody express an interest specifically in the Conestoga Hut," said Craig Cooper, manager of homeless prevention at the City of London. "We do have some individuals that sort of forage or live in vehicles or sheds on peoples' property, things like that, so the Conestoga Hut model might work for some of those individuals."

Cooper said they mostly see people who are looking for long-term permanent housing.

"We do look at different forms and options of housing and recognize that shelters and transition rooms aren't for everybody," he said.

"So we do look at different models of housing, but the ones that are transitional, they're shorter term and they might be that stepping stone that somebody might need in that moment to get to a more permanent housing situation." 

In a letter to CAPS, van Holst, along with Coun. Shawn Lewis, noted that they heard there were five homeless individuals who considered lodging in Conestoga Huts. They're asking for staff to produce a report with a plan to pilot a small number of Conestoga Huts.

If given the green light by councillors, the report would be submitted to the committee on Apr. 28.