Abe’s solutions:
The City of London toolbox approach to homelessness is appropriate.
We need many housing supports and services, such as
- The London Community Foundation, which is unique among community foundations as is it declares: ‘we think housing and supports for homeless people is critical.’
- Unity Project
- We need places for people to access, low barrier, accepting day and night, such as the London Public Library
- Prevention efforts are crucial such as the Salvation Army Rent Bank which supports hundreds of people
- Diversion from criminalizing homelessness per the Homeless Hub
Noted: The province of Ontario quietly stopped 250 million spending when the federal government’s Affordable Housing strategy was implemented
Social assistance has not increased despite inflation rising at 6.7%. Calls to reverse inflation or ensure a guaranteed annual income—caution here though as could be easy to underestimate that income
Stop bad faith evictions: For example “we are going to spray units for bugs—then evict the entire building for “not complying”, renovictions.
Need rent control for units
Need to tax escalating land holding
Need to stop single family growth—rather should intensify development
Build more public housing—there is still no plan for this.