“The micro-modular shelter is working,” Morgan told CTV News. “People are finding indoor spaces. Certainly, there are still people outdoors, but [there’s] a big decline in the numbers of both encampments and people living unsheltered through the winter.”

Last fall, London City Council approved $7 million to construct and operate the 60 unit community (50 single-occupancy and 10 double-occupancy) that will house up to 70 people until April 2027.

The municipality’s Coordinated Informed Response (CIR) Team, who offer support to the unhoused, enforce encampment policies, and respond to the concerns of businesses, has witnessed the transformation of several people who moved into the MMS.

“An incredible change, we visibly see it in folks,” said Debbie Kramers, CIR manager. “We’re now visiting the MMS, going there regularly, and the conversation has changed. It’s about their future and it’s about housing. They’re actually having conversations with my team about what [life] looks like next.”

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[–] AlternatePersonMan@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (4 children)

$7 million for 60 units?

I love the idea, but that's about $115k each. I built my kids a playhouse of similar size and materials for like $5k. There should also be some efficiency of scale here.

Granted they need to pay for heating and a few other things, but that seems crazy expensive. Do they have plumbing? I would think they would be able to build hundreds of units for that investment.

[–] brianpeiris@lemmy.ca 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

It's a fair question, but the cost might include land rental, property taxes, and salaries for support staff. It's not just the physical housing that's important. What makes it successful is the services available to the residents. I think it's worth digging into the financials, but I don't think it's fair to assume that it's $115k just to build each unit.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca -2 points 3 months ago

They could have got college program students in construction trades to build for experience credit, but who gets rich off that.

[–] nyan@lemmy.cafe 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Building code is part of it, would be my guess. Your kids' playhouse wasn't intended as a permanent residence, so it didn't have to follow nitpicky little rules about drainage and such.

[–] Smaile@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 months ago

all this tells me is that bureaucracy is over bloating the cost then. 100k for a box with heating, i could probubly make something better for cheaper to code but the gov wouldn't let me. thats my issue.

[–] rozodru@piefed.world 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

well considering that in 2017 there was a study that revealed it cost on average $56k per year per homeless individual: https://ontario.cmha.ca/news/new-study-highlights-cost-of-homelessness/ and that's just medical, and shelter use. homelesshub.ca reported that in 2013 it was more, 75k a year per homeless individual, and again that's without providing housing.

so 115k in the long run will potentially save money. A person who has private and reliable shelter is more likely to start to contribute to society again, get a job, pay taxes, etc.

The solution has always been a homes first initiative with needs based assistance.

[–] AlternatePersonMan@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

I'm not saying isn't worth the investment. I'm all for it. I'm just surprised that they couldn't get more houses for that money. If the government is only willing to shell out $7 million, I'd like to see the number of individuals housed maximized.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Much larger units are available at Home Depot for $40K.