Councils endorse refreshed plan to improve housing stability, reduce homelessness
Today, Middlesex County Council and London City Council endorsed the London and Middlesex Housing Stability Action Plan (2026-2031), a shared roadmap to improve housing stability and support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across both communities.
Required under Ontario’s Housing Services Act, 2011, the Plan was developed jointly by the City of London and Middlesex County to reflect current housing needs, local data, community input and work already underway across the housing stability system.
Housing pressures continue
Housing instability and homelessness continue to be significant challenges across London and Middlesex County, driven by growing pressures including population growth, low vacancy rates, rising rents, increasing complexity of need and gaps in social and health supports.
In 2021, 1,036 individuals were on London’s By-Name List. By the end of 2025, that number had climbed to 2,294, a 124 per cent increase. In Middlesex County’s Point-in-Time Count, 45 individuals were identified as experiencing homelessness in November 2021, compared to 54 in November 2025.
Housing affordability also remains a challenge. The average advertised rent for a one-bedroom unit was $1,529 in 2025. To afford this, a household would need to earn $61,160 a year. In addition, average market rent increased by 22 per cent between 2022 and 2025 in London and Middlesex County.
Priorities guiding the Plan
The Plan responds to growing pressures across the housing and homelessness system in London and Middlesex County and focuses on three strategic areas:
- Respond to the homelessness crisis by strengthening prevention and diversion, improving service access, supporting stronger pathways to housing and improving coordination and access to health and wraparound supports.
- Create more housing stock by supporting a broader range of housing options, including affordable, supportive and mixed housing, while protecting existing affordable housing stock.
- Provide housing supports by improving access to housing information, coordinated services and the supports individuals and families need to secure and maintain housing.
Local data and trends, sector best practices, existing housing and homelessness strategies and community engagement informed the Plan. More than 500 residents, service providers, organizations and people with lived and living experience of homelessness contributed to its development and validation.
The Plan also recognizes that addressing Indigenous homelessness requires Indigenous-led approaches and continued support for Indigenous leadership, services and partnerships.
“Safe, stable and affordable housing is fundamental to making a London a better place to live for everyone,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan. “This refreshed Housing Stability Action Plan reflects the urgency of the challenges we face and the strength of our partnership with Middlesex County. It’s building on what’s working while setting out coordinated actions to prevent homelessness, increase housing supply and ensure people can access supports they need to remain housed. This is long-term, transformative work, and we’re committed to delivering the city and housing that Londoners deserve.”
“The Housing Stability Action Plan reflects our shared commitment to ensuring individuals and families across Middlesex County have access to safe, appropriate, and affordable housing,” said Middlesex County Warden Sue Clarke. “Housing stability is essential to the overall well-being of our communities, and this Plan provides a coordinated path forward to address local needs, strengthen partnerships, and support long-term solutions.”
“This Plan reflects the systemic and multi-sectoral realities we are seeing across London, while keeping the focus on practical, coordinated action,” said Jonathan John, Director of Housing Stability Services at the City of London. “As more Londoners face housing instability, this Plan is about improving outcomes—helping people access the right supports sooner, creating clearer pathways out of homelessness and building a system that is better connected, more responsive and focused on long-term housing stability.”
“Stable housing is connected to every part of a person’s well-being, from health and employment to family stability and community connection,” said Joe Winser, Director of Human Services at Middlesex County. “For Middlesex County, this Plan helps bring attention to the unique needs of our rural communities and the importance of having flexible, local responses. It reinforces the need to continue working together with local municipalities, the City of London and community partners so residents can find support close to home and maintain housing whenever possible.”
Next steps
Following endorsement by both Councils, the Plan will be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval.
A key next step is the development of an implementation plan, which will identify priorities, timelines, responsibilities and progress reporting. The implementation plan will be brought forward to Council for approval later this year, with progress tracked through annual updates.
-30-
Media contacts:
Middlesex County Media Relations
Legislative Services Division
@email
Andrea Rosebrugh
Manager, Media Relations
City of London
519-619-4603
@email