519-646-2222Great New Business Opportunity: Homelessness!
Homelessness has become a massive industry in Canada that must be perpetuated in order to justify ongoing funding, and the creation of employment opportunities for administrators. That is a cynical statement, not a sarcastic one, and it rings true across the country but in this blog, I will deal only with the mismanaged City of London, in which I live. Note this research is not exhaustive and does not include the millions of dollars raised through organizations such as Youth Opportunities Unlimited that have generated substantial funds through initiates such as “The Fight to End Homelessness“.
My office location is in the heart of the so called “Soho District” in London (ON) – we are close by a park, the Salvation Army homeless shelter and several Government Opium Dens. Where addictions are fed either through free Opioids including Methadone. The irony can’t be overlooked, that the same big Pharmaceutical companies that promoted and pushed Opioids causing a nationwide crisis, still profit by selling the “solution” to the government where the overburdened taxpayer must capitulate and fund the very crises that are eroding our social fabric.
As to the “Business Opportunity” – it is clear that Addictions, mental health and Homelessness issues have become business opportunities for governments at all levels, and they all lack the political will to actually do anything helpful. The monies they receive are being used to disrupt settlements and break up homeless camps – they are not being used to provide safe and sanitary facilities for the down and out people they were intended for. The City of London, Ontario, receives substantial funding from federal, provincial, municipal, and private sources to address homelessness. Here’s an overview of the key funding streams:
Federal Funding
- Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy: London is allocated $46.6 million over a 10-year period (2019–2028) through the Designated Community funding stream to support local homelessness initiatives.Newswire+1Canada.ca+1
- Encampment Response Agreement: In December 2024, the federal government committed over $5 million over two years to assist individuals living without homes, including those in encampments. This funding supports the implementation of London’s Community Encampment Response Plan, aiming to provide immediate support and transition individuals into permanent housing. HomelessHub+4Canada.ca+4National Indigenous Homelessness Council+4
- Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI): London received $8.8 million under the third round of the RHI in 2023 to facilitate the rapid construction of new housing units for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Ontario Newsroom
Provincial Funding
- Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP): The Ontario government allocated over $21.8 million to the London region to support homelessness prevention efforts. This funding assists in providing immediate support and advancing the city’s Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response. City of London+5Global News+5Global News+5
- Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI): More than $5 million was invested jointly by the federal and provincial governments through OPHI to support affordable housing projects in London, aiding those experiencing homelessness. Ontario Newsroom
Municipal and Private Funding
- City of London Contributions: The City has committed $6.425 million over two years to support homelessness initiatives, including the Community Encampment Response Plan. Canada.ca+1Newswire+1
- Health and Homelessness Fund for Change: An anonymous London family donated $25 million to establish this fund, with an additional $5 million pledged in matching funds, totaling $35 million. This fund supports the new system response to health and homelessness, covering areas that government funding may not address immediately.City of London
Summary
Combining these sources, London has secured significant funding to combat homelessness:
- Federal Funding: Approximately $60.4 million (including Reaching Home, Encampment Response, and RHI).HomelessHub+1HomelessHub+1
- Provincial Funding: Over $26.8 million (including HPP and OPHI).Ontario Newsroom
- Municipal and Private Funding: Approximately $41.425 million (including City contributions and the Fund for Change).City of London+2City of London+2City of London+2
These investments support a comprehensive approach to homelessness, encompassing prevention, emergency response, and the development of supportive housing.