London Councillor Baffled by Housing Motion: 'Manufacturing a Crisis'

London, Ontario, finds itself grappling with a truly perplexing situation, one that has at least one city councillor scratching her head in disbelief. Imagine, if you will, a city that just last year declared a homelessness emergency, now facing a motion that seems, on the surface, to actively pump the brakes on some of the very solutions meant to tackle that crisis.

The motion in question, brought forward by none other than Mayor Josh Morgan himself, suggests a rather drastic step: a temporary halt on all new affordable housing projects that include transitional housing or those crucial 'housing first' models. And there's a specific caveat – this pause would apply especially if these projects, often complete with essential support services, are slated for areas near schools or other spaces deemed 'sensitive.' It's a move that, frankly, has many wondering what's truly going on.

Councillor Skylar Franke, representing Ward 11, hasn't minced words about it. She's outright called it 'manufacturing a crisis,' a powerful phrase indeed. Her frustration is palpable, understandable even, given the city's very recent, very public declaration of a homelessness emergency. How can we, as a community, say we're in a crisis and then, almost in the same breath, propose to slow down the very initiatives designed to help those most in need?

Franke highlights the stark contradiction: on one hand, we're actively seeking partners to build more affordable housing across the city; on the other, this motion risks sending a message that certain types of housing, for certain vulnerable populations, are simply unwelcome in particular spots. She argues, quite compellingly, that it's an unfair generalization, essentially penalizing an entire group of people based on perceived fears rather than proven data or genuine community needs.

Now, the mayor's stated reasoning for this pause centers on what he perceives as a concentration of such developments in specific areas, leading to 'community safety issues.' And look, who can argue against wanting safe communities? But many, including Franke and fellow Councillor David Ferrira, are quick to point out that these housing-first models, with their integrated support services, are actually proven to reduce crime and improve safety by stabilizing individuals and helping them integrate back into society. Pausing them, in their view, feels like a step backward, almost wilfully ignoring what works.

It feels like we're navigating a tricky tightrope walk here: balancing genuine community concerns, perhaps stemming from a vocal minority, with the overarching moral and practical imperative to house our most vulnerable citizens. This motion, whether intended or not, certainly has the whiff of 'Not In My Backyard' sentiment, potentially pushing critical solutions further away from where they might be most effective or where land is simply available.

So, the stage is set for a significant debate this coming Monday at the Community and Protective Services (CAPS) committee. It’s more than just a procedural vote; it’s a moment of truth for London. Will the city reaffirm its commitment to evidence-based solutions for homelessness, or will it succumb to pressures that could inadvertently deepen the very crisis it claims to be addressing? The eyes of many, especially those desperately needing a safe place to call home, will undoubtedly be watching.