Some downtown residents concerned with proposed service depots for homeless encampments

Residents who live in London's downtown are skeptical about how effective the city's response to homeless encampments through proposed service depots will be, and worried that it can further enable the crisis and add to existing safety issues in the area.  

Londoners living in neighbourhoods near encampments believe they're not being properly consulted about a decision that would impact their properties and community, and that their concerns aren't getting through to city officials.  

Nearly 50 people attended a community information session Thursday to ask questions and learn more about potential service depots that would bring basic services like food, drinking water, washrooms, and garbage cleanups directly to people living in encampments. 

Marco Masutti's house backs onto the Thames River near Cavendish Park, which has several encampments. He said that helping the city's most vulnerable and ensuring that surrounding neighbourhoods are safe don't have to be mutually exclusive solutions. 

"I definitely see that the services being proposed are needed and I support that, but while the encampments are permitted to remain, we really do need some extra police and bylaw support in the community to keep our properties safe," he said.

Masutti noted that in recent months there has been an increase in break-ins and robberies with people's homes and cars. His own neighbour's shed was ransacked this week, he said. 

Despite people taking precautions to keep their belongings safe, he said, thefts are still happening and with slow police response times and there's not much residents can do.

"It's really frustrating," Masutti said. "You don't feel safe on your own property, you're always worried if you forgot to lock your car or if you'll find a bunch of stuff missing when you go out."

'Status quo not working' says councillor

As part of the city's "whole of community system" response to homelessness, staff suggested that four service depots be available at encampments close to the city core. They will also provide safety checks and access to the overdose prevention drug Naloxon. Its first phase would run between 30 to 90 days. 

These are different from the 15 community hubs that will be scattered in different neighbourhoods, to give people struggling with housing, unemployment, or addiction, wraparound services to have their basic needs met and get support with finding housing.

Coun. David Ferreira's Ward 13 includes downtown, which would have three out of the four depots, if approved by council.

Ferreira hosted the session with the help of city staff members and outreach workers who helped field questions. In the intense session, several residents shared their frustrations about feeling unsafe in their neighbourhoods due to increasing violence and drug paraphernalia on their front lawns and in public parks. 

"I wanted to give the proper information of what a service depot was and I feel like we did that today. It was a lot of tough questions, upset people rightfully so, and valid concerns," he said. 

In his opening remarks, Ferreira said that there's a dire need for things to change so the entire community can benefit.

"We are all here because the status quo is not working and we're trying to get ahead of that and bring in a proactive plan," he said. "If we don't do anything, you'll continue to see individuals in need, and this should help the situation on the ground."

Cheryl Hawkin has experienced multiple damage and theft attempts at her home near Victoria Park. Although she has empathy for people sleeping rough and their struggles, she said she believes the solution should be focused on stable housing and mental health supports. 

"I think it's wonderful this group is talking about aiding them in some capacity, but I don't know if [officials] have had the problems that most of us have had in this ward," she said. 

Council will make the final decision on Tuesday.