GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 4, 2013
10:04 am – 11:45 am
1.
Call to Order – Jens Stickling, Chair
2.
Mission Statement
The London Homeless Coalition exists to advise, shape and coordinate community responses to
homelessness, and related needs for the London area.
3.
Introduction of and welcome to those in attendance
Judy Binder, CMHC
Josh Browne, City of London (Housing)
Keri Walker, CMHA
Grant Martin, London CAReS
Kate Cowan, United Way
Deb Peckham, LHAC
Cheryl Bois, My Sisters’ Place
Shelley Yeo, Women’s Community House
Jan Richardson, City of London
Kristy Cairns, My Sisters’ Place
Susan Macphail, My Sisters’ Place
Derek Dilabbio, Independent
Len Sterling, Independent
Gordon Russell, Mission Services
Jens Stickling, Westany Holdings Inc (Chair)
Maggie Traynor, Independent
Katy Harold, Sexual Assault Centre London
Martha Connoy, Mission Services of London
Brian Hryhorchuk, Service Canada/HRSDC
Michelle Lynne Goodfellow, LMHC
Alexis Chadwick, YOU
Denise Swaenepoel, City of London (recorder)
Nancy Powers, Salvation Army Centre of Hope
Pam Hill, Addiction Services of Thames Valley
Henry Eastabrook, London Intercommunity Health Centre Neil Watson, City of London (Housing)
Willy Van Klooster, COH Family Health Team
Courtney Coqu, John Howard Society
Abe Oudshoorn, Western School of Nursing
Christie Verbeek, Volunteer – Street Connection
Melissa Hardy-Trevenna, London & St. Thomas Association of Realtors
The details of the attendance sheets related to committees was provided to the Steering Committee.
4.
Approval of Agenda
Motion: To approve the agenda for February 4, 2013 noting the changes and additions of:
8.1 – defer the presentation on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy to a future meeting
8.1 – add the presentation regarding “PAWS” – Progressive Animal Welfare Services – Dr. Martha
Harding, David Ennis and Bill Warner
Moved: The agenda was moved for approval by Martha Connoy
Seconded: Shelly Yeo
Carried.
5.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes of January 7, 2013
Moved: The minutes were moved for approval by Susan Macphail
Seconded: Abe Oudshoorn
Carried.
6.
Business Arising from January 7, 2013 minutes
6.1
Election
i) The process of the election was described and ballots were distributed. Deb Peckham and
Jan Richardson were the scrutineers. There are 10 candidates, 8 positions available.
ii) The Chair thanked the Steering Committee members for their contributions over the past year
and invited everyone to remain involved.
iii) The nominees spoke regarding their interests in serving the Steering Committee:
Alexis Chadwick
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Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Katy Harold
Susan Macphail
Grant Martin
Abe Oudshoorn
Darlene Ritchie – note: Henry Eastabrook/Shelley Yeo offered comments
Maggie Traynor
Shelley Yeo
Leanna Zeyl – note: Leanna sent regrets and Henry Eastabrook spoke on behalf of Leanna
iv) Outcome of the Election:
Members voted, ballots collected: the following individuals were elected to the Steering
Committee:
Alexis Chadwick
Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Susan Macphail
Grant Martin
Abe Oudshoorn
Darlene Ritchie
Maggie Traynor
Shelley Yeo
Deb Peckham – acclaimed as part of her term
Jens Stickling – acclaimed as past Chairperson
v) Motion: To destroy the election ballots
Moved: Abe Oudshoorn
Seconded: Martha Connoy
Carried.
6.2
Community Forum and Report re: Programs and Services Available to Meet the Needs of
Young, Homeless Pregnant Women – Update (Gordon Russell)
A meeting took place with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), High Risk Infant Group and London
Crisis Pregnancy Centre on Monday January 28, 2013. The discussions began in the fall of
2012 with regards to the closure of Bethseda. These three organizations are being
encouraged to lead the response to meet the needs of young pregnant women particularly
those at risk or experiencing homelessness. The attendance was higher at the first meeting,
but not as well attended at the meeting last week. Gordon will attend the next meeting.
6.3
Community Plan on Homelessness – Direction 1.1 – Realign Housing & Homelessness
Committees - Community Forum – Update (Melissa Hardy-Trevenna)
A meeting was held with Jen Kirkham, Consultant, to plan the next steps for the forum. An online
survey has been circulated and approximately half of the organizations have responded. The
results of the survey will be reviewed to map the mandate and identify any duplication. The next
forum will be held on March 1, 2013. There will be one further meeting after March. Melissa
noted that she spoke with Darlene Ritchie regarding Aboriginal participation.
The surveys were given to the Chairs of City of London Planning committees.
7.
Standing Items
7.1
Update from Steering Committee
i) The terms of reference were reviewed at the Steering Committee meeting. The terms of
reference will be reviewed at the next Steering Committee meeting with the newly elected
members. It was noted that the policy is outdated. It was agreed that the new members of the
Steering Committee should conduct the review.
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Action: That the terms of reference be reviewed by March 31, 2013.
ii) Melissa Hardy-Trevenna has drafted a letter to be sent to Street Connection.
iii) Abe Oudshoorn discussed the budget process for January and February. Abe spoke on
behalf of the London Homeless Coalition at the public participation meeting last month. He
specifically addressed the proposed cuts to the London Middlesex Housing summer program
($461,000) and the new affordable housing fund ($2 million). Council will approve the budget
on February 28, 2013. Abe advised that there will be another public participation meeting at
4:00 pm on Wednesday February 13, 2013. The public is invited to make 5 minute
presentations. Email Heather Woolsey at hwoolsey@london.ca to register for a time. Abe
encouraged the members to attend and speak at the meeting. Library hours, transit and
housing all passed through the committee level.
iv) Brian Hryhorchuk to present at an upcoming meeting on Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Aboriginal funding.
v) The London Homeless Coalition website can include face book and twitter, and will only have
announcements posted at this time. The terms of reference discussions at the next Steering
Committee meeting will address the issues of additional information to be placed on the
website.
7.2
City Updates – Jan Richardson, Manager, Homelessness
i)
Community Plan on Homelessness
a)
The community forum held on January 22 was well attended. The draft directions to be
funded under CHPI were reviewed. The small group discussions focused on providing
comments on the directions and considering the funding allocation under the categories of
securing housing, housing with support, housing stability, and emergency shelter.
It was confirmed that a report on the five community forums would be prepared and available
at some time in the future.
b)
The Implementation Plan is due to be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
Housing (MMAH) by February 15, 2013. The Implementation Plan identifies the allocation of
funding by category. Once MMAH has approved the City of London Plan, it will be posted.
c)
The Housing First Temporary Support Fund
It was confirmed that the fund was established for the period of January 1, 2013 to March 31,
2013 to limit the disruption to individuals and families on social assistance as a result of the
elimination of CSUMB and to allow for enough time to conclude the planning and discussions.
The directions, including programs and services, for the next three years were reviewed at the
community forum. The City will advise on programs and services that will be available for April
1, 2013.
ii) Homelessness Partnering Strategy
The fiscal year concludes on March 31, 2013. All currently funded programs will continue
under their existing contract until March 31, 2014.
iii) Social Assistance Review Commission Report
The Social Assistance Review Commission Report outlines recommendations to Social
Assistance Benefits. The report can be viewed at:
http://www.socialassistancereview.ca/commission-publications
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7.3
Memorial Update – Nancy Powers
i) Nancy thanked the Memorial Committee for their hard work. The site visit to Campbell Park
went well. So far, $9,000 has been raised, and we will need to be establish if more funds are
needed as we move forward with the process. The Committee will continue to meet with City
staff. Municipal Council approval is required on the site location and wording on a plaque.
ii) Nancy spoke with regards to the practices of Communicating the Death of a Client and
reviewed the following documents:
 Next of Kin/No Next of Kin Flow Chart
 Communicating the Death of A Client
 Community Partner Letter Template
The following organizations are signatories of this practice:
 The Salvation Army Centre of Hope
 Mission Services of London - CMHP
 London CAReS
 London InterCommunity Health Centre (LIHC)
 Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU)
 WOTCH-My Sisters’ Place
 CMHA-Coffee House
 Unity Project
 At Lohsa
 Women’s Community House
 Street Connection
Shelley Yeo asked that the Women’s Community House be removed from the list.
There is a great sense of loss for staff/volunteers of agencies and for those who are
experiencing homelessness when someone they know well has passed away. There was
discussion with regards to how we would honour those who have passed away in a
community way when appropriate.
Motion: To approve the practices of Communicating the Death of a Client.
Moved: Willy Van Klooster
Seconded: Abe Oudshoorn
Carried.
8.
Other Business
8.1
Presentation – “PAWS” – Progressive Animal Welfare Services - Dr. Martha Harding, David
Ennis and Bill Warner
Abe Oudshoorn welcomed the presenters. PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Services) is a
not-for-profit organization which has applied to the City of London to offer animal rescue and
veterinary services. They would like to partner with emergency shelters and homelessness
related services recognizing individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness are not
able to enter a shelter with a pet and in some circumstances will not seek shelter because they
will not leave their pet behind.
The attached document provides some background information with regards to the PAWS
organization. The proposal for licensing will go before Council next month. Contact information:
Dr. Martha Harding – martha.harding@gmail.com
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PAWS Background
Info_ London Homeless Coalition 4feb13.pdf
Action: The membership requested more details. Referred to the Steering Committee.
Motion: That the London Homeless Coalition become an official partner of PAWS (Progressive
Animal Welfare Services)
Moved: Abe Oudshoorn
Seconded: Shelley Yeo
Carried.
8.2
Updates from Representatives Serving on Other Committees
Grant Martin discussed a fundraising event held by youth to support the London Homeless
Coalition Memorial project and requested permission be granted to the group to use the London
Homeless Coalition logo.
Motion: The London Homeless Coalition supports the use of the logo for the fundraising event.
Moved: Grant Martin
Seconded: Abe Oudshoorn
Carried.
9.
Announcements
 Abe Oudshoorn is a panel member in the program at 9:00 pm on Monday February 11, 2013 on
Rogers television.
 Susan Macphail mentioned the H4W (Homes for Women) year long campaign initiated by YWCA
Canada. There are a number of events happening over the year.
 All Our Sisters’ Forum – May 12-14, 2014 at the London Convention Centre. The first meeting
was held in January. The next meeting will be held on March 6, 2013 from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm on
the second floor of the Central Public library.
 One Billion Rising – global initiative to support an end to violence against women – Dance-a-thon
February 14, 2013 – two events in London – Western University at noon; City Plaza at 4:00 pm
(enter through library entrance) There is a dance rehearsal on Wednesday at 7:00 pm at Brescia
College – all are welcome to attend.
 Henry Eastabrook - the article in the London Free Press regarding a tax increase for Londoners.
Henry encouraged individuals to contact the Elected Officials and let them know that they support
a tax increase in order to protect the most vulnerable in London. Henry thanked everyone for all
of their work over the past 9 years.
 Copies of the CMHC Canadian Housing Observers are available which outlines the state of
housing in Canada for each province.
10.
Next Meeting: Monday, March 4, 2013 (10:00am to 11:30am) Committee Room # 3
11.
Meeting Adjournment: 11:45am