London’s Community Housing Strategy
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Questions and Answers
The Questions and Answers below provide more information about London’s
Community Housing Strategy.
What is
London’s Community Housing Strategy?
London’s Community Housing Strategy provides direction about how the
City can meet the range of housing needs for different populations and
their unique needs. It examines everything from emergency shelters to
home ownership – and everything in between.
The two cornerstones of the Strategy are an updated Affordable
Housing Strategy and an updated Community Plan on Homelessness.
The strategy examines successes and gaps in current housing and service
delivery and builds upon community strengths. It used a consultative
approach to get community input into the Strategy, and relied on
evidence-based and evidence-informed practices from other jurisdictions
that are applicable to the London context.
What are
all of the elements of a Community Housing Strategy?
There are eight elements to London’s Community Housing Strategy:
1. Homelessness to Housing Strategy Statement
2. Inventory of Local Initiatives and Services
3. Literature and Data Analysis Review
4. Updated Affordable Housing Strategy
5. Initial Housing Continuum Report Card
6. Prioritized List of Next Steps and Related Component Policies and
Plans
7. Revised Community Plan on Homelessness
8. Updated Strategy, Report Card and Sustainability
What will be
the outcomes of the Community Housing Strategy?
The Strategy will:
- Identify community needs;
- Help establish roles and responsibilities for taking action on the
strategy;
- Set targets;
- Identify potential further sources of funding to assist with
affordable housing development;
- Articulate outcomes and strategies that will assist the City and
service partners in managing and advancing community and
program
expectations; and,
- Form the basis for City programs and investments for the next five
years, in partnership with other orders of government.
What is
affordable housing?
Housing affordability is relative to the amount of income that a
household has. It is generally recognized that renters who spend 30% or
more of their gross household income on rent have affordability issues,
and those that are spending 50% or more of their gross household income
on housing are at risk of homelessness.
What is
a Community Plan on Homelessness?
A Community Plan on Homelessness steers the policy and program
direction, as well as investment from all orders of government on
homeless programs and services. A Community Plan on Homelessness also
positions the City to maximize available homelessness program funding
from the Federal government.
Why did
London commission this study?
The City acknowledges that barriers remain for some residents of the
City to participate in two of City Council’s priorities:
1) Community Vitality, and 2) Economic Prosperity. As noted earlier,
this study will:
- Identify community needs;
- Help establish roles and responsibilities for taking action on the
strategy;
- Set targets;
- Identify potential further sources of funding to assist with
affordable housing development;
- Articulate outcomes and strategies that will assist the City and
service partners in managing and advancing community and program
expectations; and,
- Form the basis for City programs and investments for the next five
years, in partnership with other orders of government.
What
happened with the City of London’s 2005 Affordable Housing Strategy?
The 2005 Affordable Housing Strategy was helpful for advancing various
policy and funding investments related to housing. The time is right to
update that strategy for the next five years—or more.
Is London committed to affordable housing?
London’s commitment to affordable housing has been clearly evident
through the following: The Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Action Group, Municipal
Council’s 2006 Social Policy Framework, the City of London’s Affordable
Housing Task Force, the City’s Community Plan on Homelessness, the 2005
Affordable Housing Strategy and a number of programs and initiatives
related to housing security and supportive vulnerable populations.
Since 2004, the City of London has committed funding for 1,124 new
affordable housing units.
The City’s Affordable Housing Task Force set a vision of “a City of
London where all members of the community have access to housing that is
safe, secure and suitable to their needs and ability to pay”. The Social
Policy Framework recognized the vital link between a safety net of
services to healthy community engagement and the vitality and economic
prosperity of the City. In addition, an Official Plan amendment also
placed a stronger focus on affordable housing, especially for those
households at the 30th percentile of household incomes of the City of
London.
What
does it mean that the strategy is “evidence-based” and
“evidence-informed”?
It means that the Strategy relied heavily on practices and
approaches that are proven to work. It does not rely on anecdotes or
opinions that are not based in fact.
How many people are homeless in London?
London currently operates approximately 400 shelter beds for individuals
and families experiencing homelessness.
In addition, many people who are homeless live with others, move
frequently, or are otherwise not known to the community.
This is only part of the picture of homelessness. Outreach efforts such
as London CAReS serve people living with addictions and mental health
issues on core area streets.
How does
this Strategy assist the local development community and builders?
New housing development helps drive the local economy and creates and
sustains jobs. Housing development has been proven to help stimulate an
economy, especially during periods of economic uncertainty and recovery.
The Strategy identifies development targets for the next five years. What
does the Strategy mean to those who are property managers?
Rental housing is critical to London, where 41% of the population rents.
Rental housing is a necessity in the housing continuum for many
different populations, including: working poor; low-income seniors;
young couples starting out, etc. Opportunities to articulate the
benefits of rental housing and the important roles of property managers
have been considered in the Strategy.
How will having a Strategy impact the local economy?
The development of more housing will create and sustain jobs, and help
drive the local economy. In addition, minimum and low-wage earners,
critical to various aspects of our local economy from the hospitality
industry to food industry to retail industry will have increased access
to affordable housing. Affordable and adequate housing is a necessary
ingredient for a healthy local economy.
What has
London been doing about homelessness?
London is a compassionate City and has worked closely with the London
Homeless Coalition to address the needs of its homeless residents. The
City has embarked on two innovative programs in recent years:
1. London CAReS: works with a street involved population to help
them access housing and other resources so that they do not
need to be street involved; and,
2. Hostels to Homes: a provincial pilot project that rapidly assists
homeless people access a home and have supports to stay housed.
Are rents
affordable in London?
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 2009 Rental
Market Report, the average cost of a one bedroom apartment in London is
$708. To make this affordable, a household must be making more than
$28,325 per year. More than 30,000 households—48% of all rental
households in London—cannot afford average market rent.
What is
the municipal role in housing and homeless services?
London is a Consolidated Municipal Service Manager, which means that
issues of housing and homelessness were “devolved” to the City from
other orders of government. As such, the City works with community
stakeholders to develop housing and homelessness policies and programs
and the City has the responsibility to monitor those programs and
investments.
Have any
other cities developed these kinds of housing strategies?
Yes. Various cities in North America and specifically, Ontario, have
developed these kinds of strategies. In recent years, more and more
Ontario communities are engaging in the preparation of these types of
strategic plans. Recent examples include Toronto, Hamilton, Halton and
Ottawa.
Is
London’s Community Housing Strategy linked to any other City Council
priorities?
Yes. The Strategy is linked to Community Vitality and Economic
Prosperity—two of City Council’s priorities. This strategy will help
create opportunities of inclusion for some of London’s most vulnerable
residents by addressing barriers to accessing safe, secure, affordable
and appropriate housing.
Who is
on the Community Reference Group?
The Community Reference Group is comprised of the London Homeless
Coalition, the London Development Institute, the Urban League and the
London Property Management Association.
Who else
was consulted?
Over 40 groups representing resident associations, business
associations, professional interests, various city departments and a
multitude of community service groups are being invited to participate
in the consultations.
Which
consulting firm was retained to help develop the Strategy?
OrgCode Consulting Inc. was the successful proponent through a
competitive Requests for Proposal process in securing the contract to
help develop the Community Housing Strategy.
What is
the process was used to create the Community Housing Strategy?
This important project is being managed by staff from the City of London
with the support and involvement of organizations involved in housing
and homelessness. The process includes a City Staff Steering Committee,
a Community Reference Group and a series of consultation sessions with
over 40 London community groups and businesses. Open Houses for members
of the general public were conducted and a survey of service
providers released in mid-March. The process is supported by
extensive research using data and information from London and other
jurisdictions. The Council Housing Leadership Committee is also
involved. The committee reports back through City Council.
