North Londoners are reacting to the news that the highly debated housing hub that was slated to join their neighbourhood in 2024 has withdrawn their proposal.
The Lighthouse Inn, which was approved on October 6th to be converted into a women and female identifying housing hub for the city, has announced Monday morning that they’ve withdrawn their plan. In a formal statement, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for Thames Valley region says they made the city aware on Friday that they plan to cancel their proposal.
The hubs have been widely debated by not only city councilors, but local businesses and residents alike that would see their neighbourhoods house the hubs.
Many feel that the hubs are necessary to address the homelessness crisis plaguing London, but others feel that the addition of the hubs in their neighbourhoods would negatively impact their communities with many who oppose citing safety concerns.
CMHA’s proposal detailed 20 transitional beds for the hub located at 705 Fanshawe Park Road, as well as 10 respite beds dedicated for the one located on Dundas.
In the statement released Monday morning, they say that while they “wish to emphasize that our commitment to helping individuals in need remains steadfast, however, we are also committed to doing what is right.” CMHA also says that the city of London supports their withdrawal.
