It’s become an annual question in London as the leaves turn and the temperature falls: How will the city’s overnight homeless shelters be funded?
As it stands now, 90 beds shared between Ark Aid Mission’s two shelters in East London are only funded until the end of December. City council voted in June to spend $1.8 million to fund Ark Aid until year’s end.
That expiration date is now weeks away, raising again the potential of shelter beds closing just as the life-threatening, sub-zero temperatures arrive.
“It’s pretty drastic,” said Tyler, who often sleeps outside and didn’t want his last name used. “It’s hard to see all these people out here. Realistically, it’s just going to get worse. When winter comes, it’s like life and death.”
Tyler was one of a few dozen people who lined up on Tuesday at the corner of Lyle Street and Dundas Street, where the charity City Street …