GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 4, 2015 - 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Central Public Library, Stevenson & Hunt Room - 251 Dundas Street
1.
Call to Order – Abe Oudshoorn, Chair
2.
Mission Statement - The London Homeless Coalition exists to advise, shape and coordinate community
responses to homelessness, and related needs to the London area.
3.
Introduction of and Welcome to those in Attendance
Abe Oudshoorn, Chair
Gordon Russell, Mission Services
Jan Richardson, Homeless Prevention, CoL
Florencio Virauy
Amanda Wright, LHRI, CURA
Nancy Powers, TSACoH
Sheila Kipping, SLCS
Lorraine Stuyt, ADSTV
Grant Martin, London CAReS
Courtney Vandensteen, London CAReS
Deb Peckham, LHAC
Sean Hunter, GCCRC
Melissa Hardy-Trevenna, LSTAR
Barb Ogglesby, LAWC
Shelley Yeo, WCH
Jason Westbrook, Housing, CoL
Jessica Justrabo, CYN
Kelly Palenczny, LTC
Martha Connoy, Mission Services
Jan Regan, CoL, Recording Secretary
Michele Reid, Homeless Prevention, CoL
John Thompson, St. John the Evanglist
Jaclyn Seeler, United Way
Michele Murray-Smith, SLCS
Derek Dilabbio, Independent
Sonja Burke, RHAC
Brandon Agnew, London CAReS
Mirella Bryant, YOU
Tracy Law, LANSU
Betsy Odegaard, LHAC
Marcia Gardiner, Independent
Rhona Stewart, Independent
Josh Browne, Housing, CoL
Michelle Lynne Goodfellow, LMHC
Jesse Helmer, Councillor, CoL
4.
Approval of Agenda
Motion: To approve the agenda for May 4, 2015.
Moved: Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Seconded: Shelley Yeo
Carried.
5.
Approval of Minutes of The General Membership Meeting March 2, 2015
Motion: To approve the minutes of the meeting on April 13, 2015, noting the correction to member
Lorraine Stuyt, of Addiction Services Thames Valley, (not Mission Services).
Moved: Melissa Hardy-Trevenna
Seconded: Derek Dilabbio
Carried.
6.
Presentations
6.1 Kelly Palenczny, General Manager, London Transit Commission
Kelly provided a brief overview of the London Transit Commission’s Smart Card System. An
information sheet is attached and citizens are encouraged to check the LTC website for updates and
further information at: www.ltconline.ca
LTC Smart Card
System.pdf
The LTC issued a Smart Card survey to agencies and organizations to gather information related to how
they distribute bus tickets and what some of the concerns may be. Attached is an outline of the survey
results.
LTC Survey Results
May 2015.pdf
7.
Business Arising from March 2, 2015 minutes
7.1 Soup n Bread – Debrief – Shelley Yeo
Shelley thanked everyone who assisted and attended the bi-annual Soup ‘n Bread held May 1, 2015,
including the Mayor, City Councillors, MP’s and MPP’s. There was great media coverage, including
twitter. The handout that was developed will continue to be used to promote conversation in the
community.
Soup n Bread
handout.pdf
7.2
Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation
The Province of Ontario is launching a review of the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. The
Homeless Prevention team intends to make a submission and will coordinate with the London
Homeless Coalition and others to formulate a submission regarding the strategy. Submissions must
be received by the Province by July 3, 2015.
Individuals can also submit their comments to the government at:
 Email: housingstrategy.mah@ontario.ca
 Mail:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Housing Policy Branch
14th Floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E5
 Phone:
o Toll-Free Telephone Number: 1-844-308-7296
o TTY: 1-844-403-5903
Visit: www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=10889
7.3
Ontario Poverty Reduction Fund
Ontario is investing $50 million to support community partners in helping people and families out of
poverty. The Local Poverty Reduction Fund will support innovative local solutions and help
community organizations demonstrate their progress, evaluate their programs and build a collective
body of evidence of poverty reduction initiatives that work.
The application process is divided into two stages:
i) Expression of Interest – due May 5, 2015
ii) Formal Call for Proposals – May 2015
For more information visit: http://www.ontario.ca/document/local-poverty-reduction-fund-guidelines
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The London Homeless Coalition will provide a letter of support to any London agencies/organizations
who are submitting a proposal if their work aligns with the mission of the London Homeless Coalition.
It was noted that the Governance Group, Community Plan Regarding Street Level Women at Risk will
be submitting an Expression of Interest.
7.4
Priority 2 – Communications Committee
Our Community
Homelessness affects us all as citizens of London and area.
We will ask our community members what they can do to be a part of ending homelessness.
The Communications Committee intends to build on the success of the Soup N Bread Event. A
handout with questions was provided at the event with 3 key questions and facts about
homelessness.
The Committee is setting up an ad hoc working group to develop communication strategies for the
next year. This will be a time limited working group. Please let the Chair, or Michelle Lynne
Goodfellow know if you are interested in participating in this group.
7.5
Housing for Vulnerable Households - Update
Jeff Schlemmer, Neighbourhood Legal Services and Abe Oudshoorn had delegation status at the
April 21, 2015 Community and Protective Services Committee meeting to discuss solutions.
The City of London has established a working group to address issues of housing for vulnerable
households. Jeff and Abe are participating on this working group.
8.
Standing Items
8.1
City Updates – Jan Richardson, Manager, Homeless Prevention
i) Strategic Plan for the City of London: 2015-2019
Council approved its Strategic Plan for the City of London 2015-2019.
Within the Plan’s strategic area of Strengthening our Community, Homeless Prevention is addressed
through: caring and compassionate services:
 Eliminating barriers for individuals facing poverty, mental health and addictions and help them to
find pathways to be successful.
 Working with community agencies to help tenants keep their existing affordable housing and avoid
homelessness.
 Reducing and preventing homelessness.
More information can be found at: https://www.london.ca/city-hall/Civic-Administration/CityManagement/Documents/COL_StratPlan_Brochure.pdf
ii) Homelessness Partnering Strategy
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is federal funding provided to the City of London, as the
Community Entity, under the direction of the London Homeless Coalition, serving as the Community
Advisory Board, and is aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada under a
Housing First approach.
A Request for Proposal for project funding for the period April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2019 was issued
November 14, 2014 and closed January 13, 2015.
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A Review Committee comprised of representatives from the London Homeless Coalition Steering
Committee, London Police Service, Middlesex London Health Unit, London Public Library, United
Way of London and Middlesex, Service Canada and the City of London reviewed all applications and
recommended five projects to receive funding from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019.
The total funding available each fiscal year from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019 is $513,214.
The following projects have been approved for funding for 2015-2019:
 Rotholme Women and Family Shelter– Mission Services of London – Rotholme Housing First
Project: To provide women and families experiencing homelessness with housing and nonemergency shelter alternatives with support to strengthen family resources and stability.
 Youth Opportunities Unlimited – YOU Supporting Housing Program for Youth: To provide
individualized and integrated housing and support for youth experiencing homelessness.
 St. Leonard’s Society London –Order to Reside Program: To transition women and men who are
homeless and ordered to reside by the courts at an emergency shelter into housing with supports.
 London CAReS – Housing First: Moderate Case Management: Social Inclusion: To transition women
and men who have been persistently homeless and housed and supported through London CAReS
to transition to greater independent living and community belonging.
 The Salvation Army Centre of Hope – 100 Homes Project: To provide women and youth residing at
the Centre of Hope Emergency Shelter Services with housing and support through a community
based service collaboration.
iii) Homeless Prevention Team Report
Emergency Shelters
The Emergency Shelters were acknowledged for their collaborative efforts:
 Shelter Operator leadership meet every three weeks to discuss common practices/issue
 A shared consent has been implemented with the three emergency shelters, Ontario Works and
Ontario Disability Support Program, allowing shelters to respond rapidly to an individual/family
situation
 Joint training sessions with all staff from the four shelters take place on a quarterly basis.
Centralized Intake / Data Base System
Nicole Kovacs, Consultant, Kovacs Group Inc. has been retained to develop the Centralized Intake for
emergency shelters and the Integrated Data Base for homeless serving organizations. The Centralized
Intake Working Group is well underway.
Community Plan on Street Level Women at Risk
22 community agencies (Community Advisory Group, CAG) have endorsed the framework for the
Community Plan. The CAG elected the seven member Governance Group. The Governance Group is
currently charged with the implementation of the Plan and is working on developing core competencies
for working with street level women at risk. Members of the Governance Group include:
 Heather Lumley, Executive Director, St. Leonard’s Community Services (Chair)
 Bruce Rankin, Senior Director, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection
 Grant Martin, Managing Director, London CAReS
 Heather Elliott, Manager, Quality Improvement and Professional Practice, Addiction
Services Thames Valley
 Rhonda Brittan, Public Health Nurse, Middlesex London Health Unit
 Chuck Lazenby, Executive Director, Unity Project
 Barhat Woldemariam, Homes For Women
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Housing Stability Bank - Request for Proposal
A request for proposal for the administration and direct service delivery of the Housing Stability Bank will
be posted.
Currently, the Housing Stability Bank is a $4M program far exceeding projections.
Ontario Works/Ontario Disability Support Program Rates Increases
The 2015 Ontario Budget announced changes that would affect Ontario Disability Support Program
(ODSP) and Ontario Works. Rate changes would be effective October 1, 2015 for ODSP and November
1, 2015 for Ontario Works.
The Budget proposes to invest about $100M annually to increase social assistance rates by:
 $25 per month (more than 3 per cent) for singles without children in Ontario Works
 1 per cent for Ontario Works families and individuals with disabilities receiving ODSP
 1 per cent for Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
 1 per cent for various other rates and allowances
Visit: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2015/budhi.html
8.2 Update from Steering Committee
No report.
8.3 Memorial Committee- Brandon Agnew
 Developing a detailed work plan for an October 8, 2015 memorial for World Homelessness Day
(October 10, 2015)
 Preparing PDF documents for the LHC website regarding the LHC approved policies/practices for
community agencies to use when regarding the death of an individual experiencing
homelessness
9.
Updates from Other Committees that Members Serve on
No report
10.
General Announcements
10.1 Jesse Helmer, Councillor, City of London provided the following information:
i) The province is reviewing the merits of a potential administrative monetary penalty system that would, if
implemented, replace formal in-court procedures for resolving disputes, with an online system for certain
provincial offenders. To view the City of London Administration report:
http://sire.london.ca/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=883&doctype=MINUTES
ii) Council approved an amendment to the Taxi Limousine By-law to provide for an incremental vehicle for
hire annual fare increase effective October 1, 2016 using the Ontario Consumer Price Index to determine
the appropriate fare increase.
iii) Council approved the 2015 Tax Policy including information regarding property taxes rates.
http://sire.london.ca/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=872&doctype=MINUTES
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10.2 Mission Services is reorganizing the Gathering Place. Details to follow.
10.3 Taste for Life, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, was successful again this year. Thank you to those
who hosted or participated at many of the local restaurants.
10.4 Regional HIV/AIDS Connection clarified an incorrect statement in the Free Press regarding the
operation of a safe injection site. RHAC does NOT operate a safe injection site and offers a needle/syringe
recovery program.
10.5 Women’s Community House - Fundraiser - Grand House Party - Grand Theatre - June 19, 2015. For
tickets or additional information call 519-672-8800 or visit www.grandhouseparty.ca
11.
Date and Time for Next LHC General Meeting
Monday, June 1, 2015 Central Library Stevenson & Hunt Room, main floor
12.
Adjournment at 11:15 am
London Homeless Coalition Steering Committee: Abe Oudshoorn, Grant Martin, Deb Peckham, , Melissa
Hardy-Trevenna, Mirella Bryant, Susan Macphail, Shelley Yeo, Michelle Lynne Goodfellow, Justin Langille, Jan
Richardson
.
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