Hotel residents relieved as northwest homeless hub scrapped to avoid displacement

The organization that was to run a controversial homeless hub on Fanshawe Park Road in the Lighthouse Inn in London has withdrawn its proposal, fearing residents currently living there would be displaced. 

"Our proposal for a hub was driven by a sincere desire to assist the most vulnerable members of our community. We believe this project aligned with our core values and we were fully committed to making it a reality," Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley said in a statement. 

"We wish to emphasize that our commitment to helping individuals in need remains steadfast, however, we are also committed to doing what is right."

The Lighthouse Inn was supposed to provide 20 transitional rooms in the spring, pending rezoning. CMHA also withdrew its proposal for 10 respite beds at 566 Dundas St., across from My Sisters' Place, that were supposed to open this winter. 

"We are actively exploring alternative options to host respite beds this winter," the organization said in a statement. 

The homeless hubs are part of a new strategy to help the city's most vulnerable get off the street, into housing, and linked up with help. The two-year budget for the first three hubs is about $21 million. 

The longer-term plan is to have 10 to 15 such hubs running in London, offering health care and basic necessities, and eventually transitioning people into stable housing. The Lighthouse Inn hub met a significant amount of opposition from neighbours who feared their property values would drop and crime would rise if people experiencing homelessness used the motel to live. 

Residents relieved 

For longtime Lighthouse Inn resident Linda Boxall, the news is a relief. 

"This is my comfort zone. I know everybody here. It's my home," said Boxall, a 57-year-old Londoner who has lived at the Lighthouse Inn for five years and likens the community there to a small family. "I never knew it would come to this today, but I'm proud."

Boxall and about a dozen other low-income earners live at the inn and would have had to move to make room for the planned hub.

Boxall, whose only income is a small pension, pays roughly $1,200 each month to rent the small room. She's done her best to fill it with homey touches, like a dream catcher affixed to the wall above the bed, and a seating area for guests.

The only reason she can afford to feed herself is the low cost of rent, which includes cable and utilities.

Boxall said she believes public support, and the interest of media, lead to the decision to scrap the hub plan.

"I want to thank everyone for everything. I'm glad people supported us. We all fought to save our home."

Other hubs to go ahead

"It is very unfortunate CMHATV is in this situation, but we wholeheartedly support their unwavering commitment to avoiding unintended displacements among marginalized individuals, especially after the new information came to light," the City of London said in a statement.

Coun. Corrine Rahman, who represents the ward where the Lighthouse Inn is located, thanked CMHA for "considering "the human rights and impacts for the tenants living at the motel."

The city was told of the CMHA's decision to withdraw on Friday.

"It is important that we continue to work together to find a way to bring the 10 respite beds for women at My Sisters' Place forward," Rahman said in a statement. 

"I hope the residents of Ward 7 continue to stay engaged, explore ways that they can help vulnerable neighbours and community members. We are at our best when we care for each other, when we meet each other with respect and humility."

Other homeless hubs include one for Indigenous people near Parkwood Hospital and another for young people, spread between the Youth Opportunities Unlimited Richmond Street location and another at Children's Hospital.