Londoners came together on June 14 to actively participate in the first public meeting dedicated to soliciting their input on homeless hubs as part of the  Whole of Community Response to

Homelessness initiative. These meetings mark the city's initial steps toward addressing its homelessness strategy.

Throughout this month, several public meetings will be held to gather feedback and opinions on the Whole of Community Response to Homelessness. The city aims to establish five service hubs by the year's end, ultimately creating a total of 12 to 15 hubs to support individuals experiencing homelessness in London.

Kevin Dickins, London, Ont.'s Deputy Chief Manager of Social Health and Development, emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, "We want to ask the community for input on how a hub, if located in your neighborhood, can be a good neighbor to you."

The city is actively seeking public input to establish a set of criteria for selecting suitable locations for the service hubs. Dickins explained, "We need their input to help us determine that. Some individuals have expressed concerns about the potential hub locations, such as proximity to schools, playgrounds, and seniors' homes. By engaging more people, we will have a broader perspective to shape our decisions."

Residents are encouraged to participate through the city hall's engagement portal, Get Involved London, or attend one of the five in-person drop-in sessions taking place between June 14 and June 26.

Mayor Josh Morgan emphasized that community input will be crucial in developing a comprehensive set of criteria for consideration by the council in mid-July.

Upcoming Public Meetings:

Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Byron Optimist Community Centre – 1308 Norman Avenue

Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at East Lions Community Centre – 1731 Churchill Avenue

Monday, June 26, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kiwanis Seniors’ Community Centre – 78 Riverside Drive

The city of London is dedicated to fostering a collaborative approach in addressing homelessness, and these public meetings provide a valuable platform for Londoners to actively shape and contribute to the future of their community. Photo by J.P.Lon~commonswiki, Wikimedia commons.