Londoners Donate $6.2 million to Health and Homelessness Fund for Change – exceed $5 million goal
Londoners Donate $6.2 million to Health and Homelessness Fund for Change – exceed $5 million goal
Londoners’ donations matched dollar-for-dollar by donor family for $12.4 million total
London, ON: Londoners contributed $6.2 million to the Health and Homelessness Fund for Change, exceeding the $5 million goal announced last September. The London family that spearheaded the Fund for Change, administered by London Community Foundation, matched the donations from Londoners dollar-for-dollar for a total of $12.4 million. This is in addition to the donor family’s initial $25 million commitment.
“The generosity of the people of London is remarkable. To exceed the fundraising goal is a testament to the wide community support for the plan to address the city’s health and homelessness crisis. Thank you, London!” said Jeff Macoun, Co-Chair of the volunteer community fundraising committee and recently retired President and COO of Canada Life.
The donor, who co-chaired the committee with Macoun, expressed his gratitude to Londoners and the volunteer fundraising committee members for their compassion and generosity.
“Londoners have opened their hearts and wallets to help everyone in our community access the health and housing they need to thrive. My family and I are so inspired by the outpouring of support and proud to call London our home,” the donor said.
The donations to the Fund for Change are already at work supporting critical components of London’s Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response: $4.3 million provided in funding for capital costs to help establish two Hubs and $7.2 million committed to two highly supportive housing initiatives. (See below for details.)
“We are witnessing the power of community philanthropy at work. By coming together as Londoners from all walks of life, we can address the urgent and complex challenge of homelessness,” said Diane Silva, President and CEO of London Community Foundation.
London’s Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response is a groundbreaking approach not previously seen in the community, with a fully integrated system where service providers collaborate in new, more effective ways. It is designed to help the most marginalized individuals move safely inside, become stabilized and supported, and ultimately transition into highly supportive housing. The plan was created by 200 individuals from over 70 local organizations spanning various sectors, from social services to business.
“I am thrilled to see the way Londoners came together to support this effort,” said Mayor Josh Morgan. “The people of London are incredibly generous, and this unprecedented outpouring of support is inspiring. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, and I look forward to the positive change these funds will bring.”
Hubs and Highly Supportive Housing Projects Supported:
Hub: Atlohsa Family Health Services and St. Joseph’s Health Care London
Fund for Change Support: $1.3 million for capital costs
Serves: Indigenous people
Status: Open
Hub: Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) and London Health Sciences Centre
Fund for Change Support: $3 million for capital costs
Serves: Youth (aged 16 to 24)
Status: Opening November 25, 2024
Highly Supportive Housing: Developing for Change (Tricar, Auburn Group, Drewlo Holdings, Sifton Properties) and Indwell – Elmwood Place conversion
Fund for Change Support: $4 million for capital; $1.7 million for operating expenses
# Highly Supportive Housing Units: 50
Status: Targeting 2025
Highly Supportive Housing: Indwell – War Memorial Children’s Hospital conversion at Vision SoHo
Fund for Change Support: $1.5 million for capital costs
# Highly Supportive Housing Units: 42
Status: Targeting 2026
Total Fund for Change funding distributed and committed: $11.5 million
November 2024