Ontario NDP sound the alarm as province forces closure of London’s House of Hope

QUEEN’S PARK - Ontario NDP MPPs Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre), MPP Peggy Sattler (London West) and MPP Teresa Armstrong (London – Fanshawe) are raising the alarm following confirmation that London Cares’ House of Hope supportive housing program will close at the end of November after the province failed to provide ongoing funding.

“House of Hope worked because frontline workers, health care providers, and the community stepped up for people with the highest needs,” said MPP Kernaghan. “Now, the Executive Director's comments make it clear that this government is not being honest with Londoners about what ‘s happening to House of Hope residents. The province is washing its hands of responsibility while vulnerable Londoners are pushed back into instability because this government refused to fund what was clearly working. Why is Premier Ford choosing to put people back on the street while wasting taxpayer money at the same time?”

“This government is trying to pretend that everything is under control while cutting support for one of the few programs proven to help people with the highest needs,” said MPP Sattler. “The province is choosing to walk away from supportive housing that reduced strain on hospitals, shelters, and emergency services, and vulnerable Londoners will pay the price for that decision.”

“New Democrats are sounding the alarm about the devastating impact this closure will have on the London community,” said MPP Armstrong. “House of Hope reduced pressure on shelters, hospitals, and emergency services while helping vulnerable people find stability and dignity. Instead of protecting valuable programs that work, this government continues to ignore the wellbeing of communities across this province and abandon people when they need support most.”