By Julie Ryan
As individuals, we have limited impact. Together, we can make meaningful change. This is the message that the London Deanery has demonstrated through a three-year Advent campaign to support solutions to homelessness.
Parishes in the London Deanery have contributed nearly $100,000 to Indwell, a Christian charity that creates supportive, affordable housing communities across Ontario. Their gifts will support the 140 people currently housed by Indwell in London, as well as the development of new housing.
Indwell has just opened Embassy Commons, located in London’s Old East Village, offering 72 apartment homes. As tenants get settled into their new homes, they have access to onsite supports, such as nursing and medication support, addictions counselling, and food security support.
“In the Deanery of London as parishes come together to support the important work of Indwell, the collective impact of collaboration is unmistakable,” said Rev. Canon Dr. Valerie Kenyon, Regional Dean. “In the months and years ahead, we look forward to an ongoing deepening of our relationship and support of Indwell, its program and its people.”
The London Deanery’s three-year campaign is contributing to affordable, supportive housing projects like this one at the former Health Services Building of Victoria Hospital, which will be converted into 96 new apartment homes.
“We know that supportive housing is a solution to homelessness, one that offers a permanent home where people can thrive,” said Jeff Neven, CEO of Indwell. “These solutions can’t happen without the community coming together in love and generosity, and that’s exactly what the London Deanery churches have offered. This is Good News! Together we are working out and living out Jesus’ call to love our neighbour.”
Indwell’s next London project is a partnership with five other non-profit housing developers, the Vision SoHo Alliance.
The Alliance has purchased the grounds of the former Victoria Hospital site on South Street. Indwell plans to create 138 deeply affordable apartment homes in the two remaining hospital buildings on the site – the Health Services Building and the War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
Indwell’s five partners will each build a new apartment building. In all, 680 mixed-rent units will be developed.
Julie Ryan is Community Engagement Coordinator at Indwell.