Friends, Londoners, neighbours, subscribers, lend me your ears because it’s all kicking off in the Forest City this week and you should listen a bit.
Here in wonderful London, Ontario - the evolving community halfway between a couple of megacities that are much more fun but far less nice - the two most important issues have always been waste management and why we don’t have an IKEA. Now - hold the phone - OMG - beep beep sound effect, probably - Sweden just called to say WE ARE GETTING AN IKEA!
And every politician in town is about to claim credit for the very creation of lingonberries, so that will be amusing. I hope one of them shows up in the Free Press wearing one of those Viking helmets with braids hanging off of it. Oh London.
But never mind affordable shelving and casual stereotypes that would piss me off if you did them about Scotland - for now, we are back at City Hall and next week’s committee papers have dropped a whole ton of content in our laps. Here’s what’s due to happen at 300 Dufferin starting with a delicious buffet of items at Community and Protective Services on Monday and followed with a taste of Planning and Environment, which flavours Tuesday afternoon1. You can find the full agenda here, but only mad dogs and Englishmen would subject themselves to such an experience2. Instead, I’ve got you. Don’t click that. You’re welcome.
Housing and homelessness is the single busiest brief this coming week, with a series of items related to it in some way. Here, I’ve grouped them together, as usual with help from A.I. summaries.
And the first item is a doozy3. You may remember some controversy a few weeks ago about veterans, and an apparent perception that Council had somehow reduced support for them. This was hotly denied by some councillors, notably Ward 4’s Susan Stevenson, and it’ll be worth listening for comments on this next week. Folks will want to be seen by voters on this issue.
From here, it’s all A.I. summaries unless otherwise obvious. My comments are in italics for a while. Remember this is for you to skip through in search of items of interest to you. You don’t really need to read it all.
Federal Funding Agreement Targets Veteran Homelessness
A staff report recommends Council approve a federal funding agreement to support a local program addressing veteran homelessness.
The agreement would provide $485,038 in federal funding from April 2026 to March 2028 to support prevention and reduction of veteran homelessness in London. Funding will be delivered through existing service providers, including London Cares and the St. Leonard’s Society Housing Identification Program.
The program uses a housing stabilization approach, providing case management, rent supplements, and coordinated supports. Staff report 37 veterans are currently supported locally, including five experiencing homelessness. The initiative is intended to increase service capacity and support progress toward functional zero for veteran homelessness.
519Pursuit Contract Options Presented for Unsheltered Supports
A staff report asks Council to select between three service delivery options for extending outreach services provided by 519Pursuit to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
The proposed one-year contract, running April 2026 to March 2027, would be funded through the Social Services Reserve Fund, with a maximum value of $341,049. Staff outline three options: maintaining full service levels, implementing a reduced model aligned with confirmed resources, or adopting a phased approach that could scale up if partnerships are secured.
The current service model relies on expiring federal funding and cannot be sustained at existing levels without new partnerships. Staff indicate Council direction is required to balance service levels, financial sustainability, and operational risk.
Tolpuddle Co-op Declared ‘Project in Difficulty’ as City Moves to Stabilize Operations
A staff report recommends designating the Tolpuddle Co-operative as a “Project in Difficulty” under the Housing Services Act and implementing a transition plan to stabilize operations.
The 132-unit housing provider is experiencing financial instability, governance issues, and high vacancy rates, with 20 units vacant as of March 2026 (15%). Staff report a growing operating deficit, projected to reach $260,000 in 2026, and ongoing compliance issues including fire orders and property standards violations.
The proposed plan includes capital repairs, governance support, and potential new property management. Immediate capital funding of up to $785,439 is recommended, with further investments anticipated. The transition period is expected to take 12 to 24 months, with a progress report to Council in Q4 2026.
There is, of course, reporting on this. Daryl Newcombe at CTV is all over it, as he has been throughout. This is local news reporting making a difference because the reporter knows why he’s doing it. It’s journalism functioning properly. Here’s a soupcon of Mr. Newcombe’s excellent local journalism. Nominate that man for an award or three.
And we might note that this funding comes from existing budgets, showing the City had it available all along.
Now, a direct link: CTV London: City considers stepping in, and an outline of how funding will work:
Sidebar — Tolpuddle Financing and Capital Plan
Supplementary financial documents outline the funding structure for initial capital work at the Tolpuddle site.
$785,439 in approved capital funding (excluding HST)
$796,749 total project cost after tax and rebate adjustments
Funded through the Social Housing Reserve Fund
Covers safety systems, property standards compliance, and unit restoration
Fully within existing capital budget
And the housing stories continue…
Affordable Housing Strategy Update Flags Loss of Bonus Units
A report on the Roadmap to 3,000 Affordable Units outlines impacts from the removal of Section 37 bonusing.
Staff report 497 affordable units were secured through bonusing, including 133 constructed and 202 inactive, as detailed in the table on page 3. Changes to provincial legislation mean new developments are no longer required to include affordable units, placing up to 308 units at risk.
The City is considering using financial incentives to retain or replace these units. Staff estimate potential affordability losses exceeding $39 million if units are not delivered.
RGI Waitlist Update Reflects Policy Changes and Limited Supply
A report from the Deputy City Manager of Social and Health Development provides an update on implementation of changes to the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing waitlist system.
Changes introduced in September 2024 include discontinuing new urgent-status applications, applying a 20/80 urgent-to-chronological placement ratio, and creating new prioritization categories such as special priority and over-housed households. Staff report increased placements from the chronological list and reduced reliance on urgent placements.
The waitlist has grown since 2023, while total housing placements remain tied to turnover in existing units. Staff identify ongoing pressures, including limited new housing supply, affordability gaps, and increasing support needs among applicants. No financial impacts are identified in this report.
Service Agreement Secures Affordable Housing at Whiteoak Co-op
A report recommends approval of a service agreement with Whiteoak Heritage Housing Co-operative Inc.
The agreement would provide ongoing subsidy support for up to 37 rent-geared-to-income households within a 75-unit co-operative housing complex. The 20-year agreement requires continued use of the centralized waitlist and reinvestment of operating surpluses into capital reserves.
The housing provider is assessed as financially stable, with projected annual subsidy support of approximately $268,000 in the first year. The agreement is intended to maintain existing affordable housing supply following the end of the property’s mortgage.
And other issues:
Parks Plan Update Signals Growth Pressures and Service Gaps
A staff report presents preliminary findings from the 2026 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, reflecting population growth and changing service demands.
Staff report London’s growth projections have increased significantly since the 2019 plan, requiring updated parkland targets and infrastructure planning. The update is based on three components: background analysis, public engagement, and needs and strategies.
Early findings identify gaps in amenities such as washrooms and gathering spaces, along with demand for inclusive, accessible, and year-round park use. The plan also introduces four emerging policy areas, including modernizing park standards and expanding partnerships. Further public engagement is underway before a final report is brought to Council in Q3 2026.
Sidebar — Parks Plan Engagement and Key Stats
This is a preview of a presentation councillors will receive on Monday.
Public engagement and presentation materials provide additional detail on system use and priorities.
2,210 survey responses and 60 open house participants
98% say parks are important to quality of life
65% agree parks are safe and inclusive
Neighbourhood parks most used
Largest gaps: washrooms, drinking fountains, comfort amenities
Demand for accessible, all-ages design and year-round use
Support for environmental protection and partnerships
ESA and Planning File Notices Advance to Committee Stage
Planning-related staff files, including multiple Official Plan amendments, were circulated to advisory committees as part of the statutory notice process.
These include amendments affecting Kilally Meadows and Kelly Stanton Environmentally Significant Areas, the Employment Areas Policy Review, and several site-specific and policy-driven applications.
Staff presentations and notices were received without amendment at the advisory level. These items proceed through the planning process toward consideration by the Planning and Environment Committee and Council.
Planning and Environment Committee
Here’s a summary of what’s due at PEC on Tuesday. The link is here, but no, please no, for the love of all that is holy, no, no, no.
ESA Amendments Advance Through Planning Process
Staff continue to process Official Plan amendments affecting Environmentally Significant Areas, including Kilally Meadows.
These files involve environmental planning review and policy adjustments tied to protection, land use, and long-term management of natural heritage systems. Staff reports and supporting studies have been circulated through advisory committees as part of the statutory process.
No amendments or recommendations altering staff work were made at the advisory level. The applications proceed to the Planning and Environment Committee for consideration.
Employment Areas Review Updates City-Wide Policy Framework
An Official Plan amendment related to the Employment Areas Policy Review is advancing through the planning process.
The review examines policies governing employment lands across the city, including permitted uses and long-term land supply. Staff are assessing how employment areas function within broader growth planning and economic development objectives.
The file is part of a broader policy update rather than a site-specific application and will inform future planning decisions across multiple areas of the city.
Urban Growth and Secondary Plan Files Move Forward
Multiple growth-related planning files are advancing, including urban growth boundary policy work and the Southwest Area Secondary Plan review.
These files address long-term growth management, including where and how development is permitted. The Southwest Area Secondary Plan includes both Official Plan and zoning changes and is tied to servicing, land use distribution, and infrastructure planning.
At the advisory level, these items were received for information, with no changes to staff recommendations.
Site-Specific Applications Proceed to Committee
Several site-specific planning applications are scheduled for public participation meetings before the Planning and Environment Committee, as shown in the meeting agenda. These hearings are part of the statutory process under the Planning Act, allowing public input before committee recommendations are made to Council.
Items listed include multiple zoning by-law amendment files:
127 Friars Way (Z-26015)
63 Greenfield Drive (Z-26016)
350–356 Windermere Road (Z-26014)
650 Industrial Road (Z-26018)
845–875 Commissioners Road East (Z-25141)
In addition, a request to remove 371–373 Hamilton Road from the Heritage Register is scheduled for a public participation meeting.
Previously identified applications, including 412–450 Oxford Street West / 630 Proudfoot Lane and 65–85 Meadowlily Road South and surrounding lands, are also advancing through the same planning stream, involving Official Plan and zoning amendments tied to development proposals.
All items are scheduled to be heard after 1:00 p.m., with statutory public input forming part of the committee’s review before recommendations are forwarded to London City Council.
Enough of this robotic evil
Back from italics, it’s me again now, from here, And that’s CAPS and PEC. Now you has jazz4.
And, I have thoughts about another BONUS POST, possibly this weekend, plus your usual local news ROUNDUP coming your way later on this fabulous Friday. As usual, you don’t need to read any of it - just know it’s there to dip into when needed. And also know I’m here, accepting beer & money sandwiches (hold the bread) and enjoying our group’s progress towards making this a viable local journalism company. Soon we’ll be able to sell you an ad.
Thanks for following along. Remember you are showing leadership by making sure you’re well-informed. More than anything else, an education raises us up. We’re here to act in the public interest and keep you updated.
And I didn’t even mention the Swedish Chef5.
- Mike
I’ve completely lost control of the metaphor in this sentence
I’m Scottish, and not sure this word fits me. Doozy. Nah. Won’t use that again. Doozy. No.
Seriously, if this was a Scottish stereotype I’d be causing a ruckus. BORK BORK BORK
IKEA - Looks like I was right after all! Ha.
“This is great news for London. I think Londoners will be really excited about this. We’ve talked about this for decades, there have been rumours for years that maybe Ikea will come to London. Now I can say it absolutely is,” said Mayor Matt Brown.
Sunrise:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3798999/ikea-canada-to-open-full-sized-store-in-london-in-2019/
Sunset:
Sunset: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ikea-makes-difficult-decision-to-cancel-london-store-1.5594896
Always a pleasure to read your work here, Mike!