Funding to move asylum claimants from homeless shelters into apartments sparks questions about fairness
“This program in some way puts certain groups of people coming into the city ahead of the line. I’m trying to wrap my head around that,” Coun. Corrine Rahman told colleagues during a meeting of the Community and Protective Services Committee.
A staff report asks council to ratify an agreement with the federal government that would provide London with $7,345,000 from the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) to cover costs stemming from the increasing number of asylum claimants accessing local support agencies, including homeless shelters.
The funding would provide asylum claimants with supports such as housing navigation, orientation and basic needs assistance until March 31, 2027.
In addition, 11 apartments will be dedicated specifically for asylum claimants in a building at 763-773 Dundas Street led by the London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC).
