By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-25, City: London, View Transcript
London City Council held a meeting focused on homelessness services, economic development strategy, and housing affordability programs. The micro shelter program is at full capacity with 68 residents and a waitlist of over 100 people, successfully relocating individuals from Watson Park. Council reviewed a draft economic development strategy developed with Deloitte, emphasizing workforce development, downtown revitalization, and Indigenous partnerships. The meeting also addressed the Housing Accelerator Fund, with debate over development charge rebates and whether savings would reach homebuyers. Council directed staff to report back on multiple housing incentive options by April 14th.
The micro modular shelter facility is now fully operational with 68 residents, representing one of the fastest municipal projects to go from empty field to occupied housing in 8-10 weeks. The facility has successfully addressed the Watson Park encampment, which "has been a struggle for many years," allowing the park to be "rehabilitated and returned to a public space." However, the program faces challenges: there is a waitlist of over 100 individuals who meet placement criteria, and two participants were removed following physical altercations with staff under the program's zero-tolerance policy. Outreach teams report seeing "a renewed sense of hope" among participants. London Cares, initially hesitant about the project, now endorses its success, praising the "trauma-informed environment" and noting that "frontline staff speak highly of this partnership."
Council reviewed a five-year economic development strategy developed with Deloitte consultant Paul Blé, who identified London's critical challenge: a projected shortage of 40,000 workers by 2031. The strategy focuses on five pillars including workforce development, downtown activation, regional collaboration, mobility improvements, and implementation accountability. Graeme Henderson of the London Chamber of Commerce supported the overall direction but emphasized the need for strengthening before final adoption, particularly around Indigenous reconciliation and downtown revitalization. Multiple councillors expressed concerns about the strategy being too broad and lacking specific implementation details, accountability measures, and adequate Indigenous consultation. Councillor Trussau stated: "I am not satisfied with this report. I don't think adequate progress is being made."
The city faces a critical deadline to deploy Housing Accelerator Fund dollars or risk losing approximately $12 million in additional funding, with building permits required by September 2026. Mayor Morgan introduced an alternative approach after acknowledging the original housing program may not have enough votes to pass. The proposal includes subsidizing development charges for "missing middle" housing and converting the Additional Residential Unit (ARU) loan program to grants. However, significant concerns emerged about development charge rebates, with Councillor Frank stating they would not support the program because "there is no way to guarantee builders/developers will pass savings along to homebuyers." The building industry offered to contribute $3 million of their own funds contingent on workable DC rebates being included.
Councillor Trussau raised transparency concerns about the Coordinated Access Working Group, which makes placement decisions for the micro shelter. When asking about published criteria, staff member Mr. Dickens responded: "No, I believe that's not published for council. It's what the coordinated access staff use." The placement process considers willingness to move, partner status, and pet ownership, but much of the assessment is described as "more of an art than a science" rather than standardized. Staff declined to provide specific numbers on how many residents came from Watson Park, citing privacy concerns. Council requested aggregate statistics in future reports while respecting personally identifiable information, highlighting tension between public accountability and resident privacy.
Councillor McAllister proposed reinstating biannual meetings with provincial and federal representatives in council chambers, a practice discontinued over a decade ago. McAllister stated: "We can't do everything on our own and we need those partners to support us." However, concerns emerged about scheduling challenges and the risk of meetings becoming "performative" rather than productive. The clerk confirmed the last such meeting occurred in 2016. The proposal was referred to the Governance Working Group for further discussion to establish "guard rails" and structure before implementation, with all speaking councillors supporting the referral for "thoughtful dialogue."
Passed: - Motion to receive micro modular housing operational update (14-0) - Motion to receive economic development strategy delegations (14-0) - Motion to receive economic development strategy presentation (12-2, Councillors Pribble and Trussau opposed) - Motion to direct staff to report on housing incentive options by April 14th to Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (10-4 on amendment to change committee, then 10-? on main motion as amended) - Motion to extend board and commission appointment terms (14-0) - Motion to provide tenant placement policies by April 15th (13-0, Councillor Hillier absent)
Referred: - Motion to reinstate intergovernmental meetings with MPs/MPPs - referred to Governance Working Group (14-0)
Present: Mayor Josh Morgan, Deputy Mayor (not named), Councillors Stevenson, Hopkins, McAllister, Pribble, Pelosa, Trussau, Frank, Ramen, Ferrer, Van Mierlo-Bergen, Cuddy, Hillier (absent for final vote)