September 2025
London Cares asked us to help distribute the following announcement of theirs. For more information about London Cares, their website is at https://londoncares.ca/
TO OUR NEIGHBOURS OF 602 QUEENS AVENUE:
We want to share with you a communication that we sent to our staff last week after many meetings with city staff and a representative of the police. As you can appreciate, we are holding the concerns of yourselves, our neighbours, our staff and volunteers and our participants and trying to navigate a good way forward. The letter is long but we wanted to share with you our thought process and reasons for decisions. This morning we received an email from one of our neighbours recognising the changes made and supporting the work we are doing. This is much appreciated. Sincerely,
Chris Moss, Executive Director, London Cares Martin McIntosh, Executive Director, Regional HIV|AIDS Connection Margo Ritchie, Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Joes Cafe
TO OUR STAFF AT 602 QUEENS AVENUE:
As you are aware, we have been experiencing ongoing challenges related to individuals encamping on our front yard and boulevard. While we had hoped for greater clarity around where individuals might go in the downtown core, the reality remains that there are simply not enough safe, accessible spaces for people to be. That said, we are at a point where we must take action to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, participants, and surrounding neighbors. We fully recognize that this will not solve the problem, and could result in simply displacing individuals, but we must make adjustments within our control to create a safer environment for all.
Operational Changes at The Commons
Beginning immediately, The Commons Drop-In will adjust its operating hours to 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, with staff working from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM. This shift will enable us to:
– Increase our ability to engage individuals early in the day and divert them either into the drop-in or elsewhere in the community.
– Provide structured support to By-Law, LPS [London Police Force], and security efforts to prevent camps from being set up on the boulevard in the late afternoon.
– Coordinate more closely with enforcement partners during the key 3:30 PM timeframe, when presence and redirection is most critical
Teams will be required to work with enforcement and security to divert individuals into the commons to access service or have them exit the property If you are on a day shift in the coming weeks, you may be asked to support during these engagements at 8am—informing individuals of our new service hours, encouraging them to access the drop-in if space permits, and asking them not to set up camp on or around our property.
To better manage flow and safety within and around The Commons:
– A maximum of five people will be permitted to wait outside if the drop-in is at capacity.
Others will be asked to return during the next service pod time.
– All large belongings (wagons, carts, etc.) must be stored in a designated parking space at the side of the building.
– No furniture will be permitted on the property.
– Those waiting for St. Joe’s meal services will be asked to form a line and enter in an orderly fashion. Anyone getting a “to go” bag from St.Joes will need to exit the property to consume their food.
– We are requesting additional relief support to staff the door for the next 2 weeks. This will support security to engage with individuals outside.
We want to be transparent: These changes are not a solution to the deeper systemic issues at play. We are all acutely aware that there are far too few options for people who are unhoused, and these interventions may feel ethically complex or emotionally challenging. Please know that leadership continues to advocate at multiple levels for increased supports, resources, and spaces for those falling through the cracks. At the same time, we must acknowledge our limits. As an employer and as a service provider, we cannot be everything to everyone. What we can do is prioritize the safety and dignity of our community of participants and neighbours, while continuing to show up with compassion and consistency.