Recently, Council received an update on our Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response research and evaluation report. Here are some key highlights: • Progress: Since 2023, two Hubs have opened, serving over 100 individuals, with more than 40 successfully transitioned into housing. Reported deaths have decreased by 20%. • Community Generosity: The Fund for Change has grown to $37.6 million, with $22.2 million distributed to support highly supportive housing and 24/7 Hubs. • Challenges: We continue to face workforce strain, low wages, and high demand for supportive housing. Stigma, misinformation, and system gaps still create barriers for those seeking help. Despite these challenges, there is real momentum — and it’s vital we sustain it. Success depends on a strong, supported workforce, consistent investment in housing and services, and ongoing public trust. Advocacy for continued funding with our provincial and federal partners remains essential. Looking ahead, our Warming Centre capacity has increased to 200 beds/spaces, and committee has supported a new Micro- Modular Shelter Site at 1710 Wilton Grove Road. This site will provide 60 individual shelters, each with washrooms, fencing, and security, for up to two years. As always, I welcome your thoughts, questions, and feedback. Please reach out at ahopkins@london.ca or visit www.annahopkins.ca to sign up for my newsletter. Take care of one another,
Happy November! I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Riverbend community and to congratulate the Riverbend Villager on its inaugural edition.
100+ Women. One Hour. Big Impact. 100+ Women Who Care London & Area is a community group that gathers four times per year to raise money for local charities. How It Works: 100+ Women Who Care London & Area creates an immediate, direct impact by bringing together 100+ women who each com - mit to donating $100 at four meetings per year. Meetings last just one hour. Two member-nominated charities present for five minutes each. Members vote anonymously for their charity of choice. The winning charity receives the full collective donation — on the spot. Together, we’re making a difference! Want to be part of this amazing group? Register for free at 100womenwhocarelondon.com. Facebook: 100 Women Who Care – London & Area As the leaves fall and the nights grow colder, the need to support our most vulnerable neighbours becomes even more visible. Homelessness and housing remain top priorities for this Council. Across Ontario, homelessness has increased by 25% since 2022 — including a 19% rise here in London. Tragically, 174 lives were lost to preventable deaths between January 2022 and June 2024. Many residents I speak to in Riverbend know how fortunate they are to live in this community. There is a lot to celebrate, including the Kains Woods Environmentally Significant Area, which allows residents to get closer to nature. It is a favourite spot both in the winter and summer for those who like to take long hikes along the river. London’s West 5, which became Ontario’s first net-zero mixed-use development, is a walkable community where we can live, shop, work and celebrate at Legacy Square. This area is where we will see further development and experience the growing pains of a rural community becoming urbanized. Our infrastructure projects are coming along, including the roundabout at Gideon, the upcoming road expansion of Oxford Street West starting at Westdel Borne and a new school for the area. Ward 9 Councillor 519-661-2489 ext 4009 ahopkins@london.ca
As a Candidat will be a numb constituents.
Where pride and craftmanship meet
519-873-0557 westburyconstruction.com General Contracting/Renovations/Additions Sam@westburyconstruction.com @westburyconstructionltd
Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Byron United Church, 420 Boler Road.
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Page 15 Riverbend Villager November 2025
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