London Cares Homeless Response Services

About London Cares Homeless Response Services

London Cares Homeless Response Services is a charitable organization located on Queens Ave in the Woodfield neighbourhood of London. It serves an inclusive population of people experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness, specifically focusing on those with the highest acuity, such as individuals with complex needs, deep trauma, untreated mental health concerns, or substance use. The organization supports a diverse demographic, including youth, seniors, couples, families, and people who identify as LGBTQIA2S, Indigenous, Black, and people of colour. The organization provides a range of services including street outreach, resting spaces, and housing stability services. Their frontline teams operate 24/7 to build trust, address immediate needs, and help individuals get "paper ready" for housing. Specific programs include a housing stability program that utilizes intensive case management and a trauma-informed approach, as well as a specialized housing stability program for veterans. Additionally, they operate 50 highly supportive housing units where residents receive comprehensive 24/7 health and social supports. London Cares was formed in 2012 through a partnership between Addiction Services of Thames Valley, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, and Unity Project, with funding from the City of London. It was formalized as an independent charitable organization in 2018. The organization describes itself as the first Housing First organization in London, operating on the principles that housing is a human right and that services should be person-centered. Their approach emphasizes a low-barrier, harm-reduction model designed to move people quickly into housing with wrapped intensive support.