September 18, 2026
How much compassion do we really have for people experiencing homelessness?
It’s an uncomfortable question, but one I explore in this week’s Steve’s Reflections.
Think about how we respond when someone needs hospital care. We generally accept that they are deserving of compassion, treatment and support. We don’t necessarily ask whether they made all the right choices that led them to the hospital. We recognize that they are a person who needs help.
Why, then, does our compassion so often become qualified when the person is experiencing homelessness?
Perhaps we say we have compassion — but only if they are trying hard enough, following the rules, accepting the help offered or not making us uncomfortable.
Compassion matters. But I believe we need to go further. We need to turn compassion into justice.
Justice means recognizing that people experiencing homelessness are entitled to the same dignity, humanity and opportunity as the rest of us. And when a segment of our community is denied those things, it diminishes all of us.
This is particularly important as London heads toward its municipal election on October 26.
Candidates will inevitably talk about encampments, public spaces and community safety. Those are legitimate issues that deserve attention. But I think we need to ask a bigger question:
What is your plan to actually reduce and ultimately end homelessness in our community?
Not just how will you manage encampments. Not just how will you respond when homelessness becomes visible. What will you do to increase housing, strengthen supports, prevent homelessness and create a community where fewer people experience homelessness in the first place?
London already has a Housing Stability Action Plan for 2026–2031. The challenge now is turning plans and good intentions into meaningful action and results.
As voters, we have an important role to play. We should be asking candidates the difficult questions — and holding them accountable not only for what they say during an election campaign, but for what they do once they are elected.
Compassion is a good place to start.
But people experiencing homelessness deserve justice, too.
And our entire community is better when everyone has the opportunity to belong.
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