The Community and Protective Services Committee approved emergency funding of up to $350,000 from the Social Services Reserve Fund to keep two homeless outreach programs operating after federal funding ended March 31. The committee also advanced an intervention plan for Tolpuddle Housing Co-op, where staff reported serious compliance and safety issues and more than $700,000 in capital repairs. Members received an update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2026–2042), including survey results showing “about 65%” of respondents feel parks are safe and welcoming, and deferred the renovictions/rental unit licensing one-year review by one month so additional groups can review the report.

Topics Discussed

Emergency Homeless Outreach Funding

With federal Emergency Treatment Fund support ending March 31, the committee approved interim monthly funding of $25,000 for 519 Pursuit and $60,000 for Ark Aid Street Mission, to a maximum of $350,000, to be reimbursed if new federal Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHI) funding is received.

Delegates described outreach as a frontline service that prevents deaths and reduces pressure on emergency systems. One delegate told committee: “I firmly believe that if we had not been there at that moment, he could have died. Sometimes one small act is a reason someone survives. That is what outreach does.”

Committee members also discussed the uncertainty of replacement funding. Staff cautioned that “there is no 100% guarantee that London is in line to receive UHI funding.” Another speaker framed the choice as either funding outreach now or paying later through emergency responses: “You either going to not fund us… and it’ll be hospitals and police and funerals that the city pays for, or it can be a proactive choice to fund us.”

Tolpuddle Housing Co-op Crisis

The committee considered the city’s next steps at Tolpuddle Housing Co-op, which staff said faces fire safety violations, compliance orders, and deteriorating conditions, with more than $700,000 in capital improvements required. A representative of the co-op, J. Phoenix, told committee: “What’s happening at toe puddle is not an isolated failure. It’s a systemwide issue… This is a mismatch between housing expectations and available resources.”

Staff outlined an intervention approach that includes issuing a triggering event letter with 60 days’ notice, completing a building condition assessment, and developing a multi-year transition plan. Timeline concerns were raised during discussion. One member objected to the pace of reporting, saying: “I don’t want to hear that further sanctions have been imposed. I want to hear an update on how this is going before something even worse happens.” Another exchange on timing included the request: “Give us about 6 months to get through the work.”

Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2026–2042

Staff presented early findings from the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, intended to guide parks and recreation planning through 2042 as the city plans for a population of about 590,000. Staff reported survey results that “About 65% feel parks are safe and welcoming,” and said key improvement areas identified included “maintenance, addressing encampments, and increased enforcement.”

The committee also heard about changing recreation demand. Staff noted “a change in participation patterns,” adding that the plan will include “a new pickle ball provision target… and you will likely see a bit of a reduction on the tennis court side.”

Mayor Morgan argued for broader outreach beyond typical public meetings, saying: “I’ve spoken to about 70 schools… and they don’t talk about pickle ball as much. They talk about some other things in parks,” and added the city should reach residents “that maybe don’t know how to come to a public participation meeting or fill out a survey.”

Affordable Housing Units at Risk

The committee reviewed efforts to preserve 191 affordable units connected to the city’s Community Improvement Plan incentives following provincial changes to Section 37. Staff said the city’s goal is to transition all 191 units into the program, with Mr. Felberg stating: “I’d like to think that all 191 will proceed as affordable… So we’re optimistic that we’ll be able to transition all of them.”

Skateboard Park Consultation Controversy

Delegate Ken Galloway criticized the consultation process for the West Lions skatepark project, describing a process he said constrained meaningful feedback. He told committee: “Here, highly regarded industry professionals and national level athletes were handed Crayola products and told to express themselves within a very limited feedback form under threat of the entire project being shelved.” He asked to be involved earlier in future planning, saying: “we too would like to be involved before the location, shape, budget, contacts, materials, and vendors are all predetermined.”

Motions

Passed: - Motion to approve emergency funding of up to $350,000 from Social Services Reserve Fund for homeless outreach services ($25,000/month to 519 Pursuit, $60,000/month to Ark Aid Street Mission), with retroactive reimbursement from federal/provincial funding sources
- Amendment to direct civic administration to re-engage with agencies under UHI and Emergency Treatment Fund to explore service opportunities (passed 6-0)
- Motion to receive Parks and Recreation Master Plan preliminary findings and direct further community engagement
- Motion to approve Tolpuddle housing co-op intervention plan (Items A-D passed 5-0; Item E passed 4-1)
- Motion to defer renovictions/rental unit licensing program one-year review by one month for additional stakeholder consultation (passed 5-0)
- Motion to approve White Oak Heritage Housing Cooperative service agreement

Deferred: - Renovictions and Rental Unit Repair Licensing Program One-Year Update (deferred one month for consultation with Neighborhood Legal Services London and Middlesex, ACORN, and LifeSpin)

Attendees

Present: - Chair (name not specified in transcript) - Mayor Morgan - Deputy Mayor (name not specified) - Councilor Hopkins - Councilor Purple - Councilor Pelosa - Councilor Ferrera/Ferrer - Councilor Frank - Councilor Trasa/Traso - Councilor Pribble - Councilor Pereira - Councilor Ramen/Remen

Staff: - Mr. Peas - Mr. McGonagal - Mr. Felberg - Ms. Bever - Mr. Dickens