Author Archives: abeoudshoorn

Shelter Use in Canada

Although the vision in London and across Canada is to end homelessness, emergency shelters continue to play a key role within the system as it stands. They serve as a ‘sure thing’, a landing spot for people as they encounter … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Statistics | Tagged | 1 Comment

A Call For Compassion

English poor laws, dating back centuries, were termed as a form of “relief” for the poor. However, in reality they were simply a means to remove poverty from sight. Children were arrested and put into workhouses, men were put in … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | 1 Comment

8 ways that Ontario’s Affordable Housing Update will help end Homelessness

Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update was announced today. Here are 8 ways that this update will help end homelessness in Ontario communities: Increasing CHPI Funding – CHPI stands for Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative. This is the provincial contribution to … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | Leave a comment

Are you sure you’re ready to talk about mental health?

Let me preface what I’m about to say with acknowledging my support and thanks for #BellLetsTalk. I believe that any effort to de-stigmatize mental illness is a valuable one whether it comes from corporations, academia, or activists. However, as a … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | 4 Comments

Why help refugees when Canadians are homeless?

Discussion of the Syrian refugee crisis was common around family dinner tables over the holiday season. With the new Canadian Government working quickly to fulfill their election pledge, communities across Canada are beginning to receive their first government sponsored refugees. … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | 3 Comments

Letter to Council

In light of the current multi-year budgeting process at City Hall, I drafted this letter on behalf of the London Homeless Coalition: Dear Mayor Brown and esteemed members of London City Council, On Thursday, October 8th the London Homeless Coalition … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Municipal | Tagged | 1 Comment

Don’t Criminalize Homelessness; Do Criminalize Low Standards

The criminalization of homelessness is a scourge of societies across the globe. The general thought behind it goes something like this: People and/or their behaviours are anti-social and/or bad for our neighbourhood(s), therefore we will make criminal certain acts that … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, The Basics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Quality Housing for All

I was asked to give comment regarding a number of residential facilities being re-classed as care homes, which has financial implications for the managers of these facilities. Here are my thoughts: As Chair of the London Homeless Coalition I was acutely … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | 1 Comment

Our Humanity

A Tim Hortons worker pours water on a sleeping homeless man in the middle of winter. A London Free Press reader in the comments suggests killing refugees being screened for Ebola. My students speak of nurses suggesting patients with conditions … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Today, the Government of Ontario released the 2014-2019 Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy. This follows up on the 2008-2013 Strategy, which I evaluated here and here. The previous strategy was focused on child poverty, and although the target of a 25% reduction in … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, In the News | Tagged | Leave a comment