SafeSpace London receives funding extension [Video]

After receiving a short extension from city council, an agency serving women and gender-nonconforming Londoners living unsheltered wants the sector to receive reliable funding until longer-term solutions are in place.

In an online statement posted to social media SafeSpace London writes, “Leading up to International Women’s Day on March 8, SafeSpace London and our sister organizations continue to provide vital support services while facing immense precarity and uncertainty.”

On Tuesday, city council approved a two month funding extension for drop-in services at SafeSpace London ($129,000) and London Cares ($139,600) which will now see the Winter Response programs end on May 31.

“We were assured that it was temporary,” Coun. Susan Stevenson reminded colleagues during the meeting at city hall.

Stevenson added that SafeSpace’s location at the corner of Dundas and Lyle streets was approved as part of city hall’s temporary Winter Response to Homelessness over a year ago.

She has opposed the continued clustering of frontline agencies in and around …