An Inspiring Affordable Housing Initiative

AN INSPIRING Affordable Housing Initiative

On October 26, 2023, over 65 supporters of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, gathered at the Goodwill Centre in London, Ontario for the announcement of the Society’s affordable housing Initiative.  Their presence in London for over 160 years serving people in need makes this society an ideal agency to respond to London’s high numbers of people searching for affordable housing.  Their colorful brochure states: “In response to the affordable housing crisis in London, the SSVP has obtained a portion of land from the Roman Catholic Diocese of London adjacent to the St. Andrew the Apostle Church located in northeast London. The location is ideal with easy access to shopping, schools, transit, and a community center”.

During the evening’s agenda, London’s CTV personality and MC, Nick Paparella called upon several speakers to make presentations.  Shelley Baker and Mary Michniewicz as co-chairs of this project, explained the background of the endeavor and commented on the many meetings held in the early stages of preparation for entering the affordable housing scene.  Alison Hanney, chief architect of Cornerstone presented a design of the new building. She also answered questions about the 72-unit apartment containing one-and-two-bedroom units – with 17 accessible and all designated affordable.

Rev. Jim Mockler, former rector at St. Peter’s Basilica, was guest speaker and congratulated SSVP on their track record of always walking with the needy.  He added, “Their quiet, tireless work shines as a beacon of hope in our society”.

Among the group gathered to support the SSVP affordable housing initiative were members of City Council, a local MPP, London Diocesan representatives of SSVP, and others from various parishes, as well as the Sisters of St. Joseph. The atmosphere in the room was upbeat. Speakers were received with enthusiasm and an eagerness to partner with SSVP’s Affordable Housing Initiative.    

Now is the time to reach out to Londoners to join in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul’s “Build Hope for Housing” campaign. Are you inspired by this story? You can become a Partner in the Building Hope for Housing Campaign - donate through their website.

 -Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

It Takes a Whole Community

It takes a whole community…

The city of London, Ontario could learn from the people in the Maritime provinces when it comes to helping each other.  I am speaking about the response of people rolling up their sleeves to help in large and small ways to address the devastation that has hit so many individuals and families who are dealing with the effect of Hurricane Fiona.   We in London are facing a homelessness crisis.  We need to come together and to find a humane way to work with the people who are without food and shelter.  The solution the City of London has applied to shut down this program at the Baptist Church on Richmond St. due to a bylaw violation will not change much.  This may satisfy a few people who live or work in this area, but it is not the solution that is needed to create real change for everyone but most especially for those who need shelter, food and a lot of understanding.

Image: Unsplash/Jon Tyson

As the colder weather approaches us, this is not a problem that can be kicked down the road for a new council.  This is problem that all of us, who are a part of London, need to listen to and understand the multiple perspectives of many people.   People of faith communities, people at City Hall, people who are homeless, businesses in the downtown, neighbours, agencies, health care people and likely others who I have not named have ideas.  This is a challenge facing all who live in the city - in which a simple or “one size fits all” solution will not address the crisis. 

I would advocate that we start coming together to talk to each other and even more importantly, listen to each other.  I believe hidden in the spaces of such conversations are spaces for some new and innovative ideas to emerge.

“I wonder if…” ideas worth considering could help us all move forward together. We will all be better for it.

Sister Joan Atkinson, CSJ | Office for Systemic Justice

Affordable Housing - A Crisis in London and beyond

The lack of truly affordable housing has created a crisis in London, Ontario and beyond.  Low vacancy rates along with low OW and ODSP benefits mean that people accessing these benefits cannot even afford single rooms at boarding houses.  As of April 2019, there were 4,897 on the wait-list for geared-to-income housing in London.  Hope is lost, and peoples’ efforts are quashed when there is no safe, affordable housing from which to build a future.

The Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada support the call from Margaret Wills at Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre in London for immediate interim solutions to fill the gap until City of London staff finish the process of updating the Housing Strategy.  These interim solutions include but are not limited to: making money available for motel stays, allowing people accessing OW and ODSP benefits to share rental space without being penalized, and short-term rental top-ups.

Home Sweet Home?

This title of a very familiar tune, is only a dream or an ache for so many people in large cities, in small towns, and right here in our very affluent city of London.  The cost of housing is beyond the reach of so many in Canada.  I am not talking about the dream of winning a home through a lottery.  I am talking about a simple and affordable apartment that is safe so someone can live in dignity.  I don’t want be alarmist, but I think we are near a crisis. 

A mother called me a few days ago in tears because she had been told she would have to wait eight years to get an apartment if she put her name on the social housing wait list.  What was she to do?  She was working the equivalent of full-time, by cobbling together a few part-time contracts.  She is not eligible for any health benefits and is living in an apartment now that is too expensive and she pays taxes.  But her money runs out before the month runs out. 

The need for affordable housing is urgent and critical.  However, it is only a symptom of an economy that runs on the work of so many people like this mom, but who is unable to afford to live and raise her family and participate in the economy we say is there for all of us. 

I know solutions are not easy or quick.  I work with a non-profit group who tries to increase the number of affordable housing units in London.  The systems to make this happen is broken and almost non-responsive.  I do not believe there is no solution.  There are enough creative people who want solutions.  We need to think “outside the box”.  We keep trying to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.   I believe there are enough caring and creative people in our city, across all sectors who are willing to risk trying to do things different.  Let's make a difference!

An interesting article from the London Free Press:

Ontario plan a start, but not an end to London housing crisis: Expert

 - Joan Atkinson, CSJ  | Office for Systemic Justice | London, ON

Celebrating an Impossible Dream

On Friday, September 28^th, about 100 gathered at Austin Doran Hall in the Mount Community Centre in Peterborough, Ontario for the annual special evening that highlights poverty and the need for food security in our area.  The dinner, determined by lot, was either Oven Roasted Chicken Supreme with Decadent New York Style Cheesecake for dessert or a typical food bank meal of penne noodles with canned tomato sauce and cookies.  This menu spoke loudly of the disparity that exists in opportunities for food choices, and called us to be more aware of the struggles some face in providing good food for their families.

The focus of the evening was on the newly-completed Food Centre which is a significant component of this evolving dream. A name was given to the café, announced by John Good, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, through whom an anonymous donation of $300,000 made this beautiful kitchen area possible. The name chosen is the Fulcrum Café, signifying the point on which this project turns or is supported.  The café is already being used by the apartment residents, staff, volunteers, and friends and supporters of The Mount Community Centre. 

Madelaine Currelly, CEO of the Community Training and Development Centre explained a very successful educational program in which unemployed applicants develop skills in cooking as they supply meals for Meals on Wheels, a day care centre and other groups.  This kitchen also provides catering   to groups within and beyond The Mount Community Centre, and the facility is available for rent at mutually designated times to budding entrepreneurs.

Guests at this annual event were brought up to date on further developments in this impossible dream. Board member, Bill Graham, outlined the progress and future plans for Phase 2 of the project.  Christine Cannon, President of Shared Dreams for Independent Living, spoke of their position and excitement around this joint venture.  Murray Rodd, Cabinet Member of the present fundraising campaign, shared that a dinner held in his honour as retiring police chief raised over $23,000 for the Mount Community Centre.  In his closing remarks, Steve Kylie, Chair of the Board, mentioned that a Day Care Centre had just been relocated to this amazing place that continues to meet a multitude of needs in the Peterborough area.  All were invited to view the Food Centre, and many took the opportunity.  Once again those who attended were deeply touched by the evolving story of this impossible dream.

- Joan Driscoll, CSJ