Sixty individuals in London experiencing homelessness will soon have access to shelter. The City of London’s micro-modular shelter site, providing 60 beds for unhoused individuals, is set to welcome its first residents during the week of January 26. Situated south of Highway 401 at the intersection of Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road, the shelter site was a frozen cornfield when construction commenced in early December. Initially scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, the project timeline was adjusted to an early January opening and is now expected to be operational by the end of this month.
Ashley Rammeloo, the City of London’s director of water, wastewater, and stormwater, and lead engineer for the project, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and readiness of the shelter for its participants despite delivery delays and adverse weather conditions. All individual units are now on-site, along with trailers serving as common areas and shared bathroom facilities, with the initial units fully powered and heated.
Prospective residents are being referred through the city’s coordinated access system, and a list of potential matches is being compiled, according to Deon Rocha, a manager with London’s Housing Stability Services. The exact number of residents moving in remains uncertain, with final touches still pending, such as providing electricity to common areas and ensuring heat tracing and insulation for water and sewer connections.
Xpera Canada, a private security company experienced in emergency management, has been contracted to operate the site. The company’s senior vice president, Jason Dumbreck, highlighted their role in maintaining a safe environment and facilitating connections to essential services without replacing existing social service providers in the area.
Local service agencies like Ark Aid Mission will be delivering meals to the site, while additional services such as employment and housing support will be introduced as residents settle in. Collaborating with Xpera, services including snow and garbage removal and pest control are in place to ensure the site’s smooth operation.
Local agencies have provided valuable input on the city’s plans for the shelter, as noted by Kevin Dickens, the deputy city manager for social and health development, emphasizing the importance of community partnerships throughout the project’s development.
