2022 London, Ont. municipal election: Meet the Ward 6 candidates

Londoners are gearing up to go to the polls on Oct. 24 for the municipal election as residents of the Forest City will elect their next mayor, city councillors and college board trustees.

Sixty-one candidates are running in 14 wards across the town, but only three have their eyes on Ward 6.

The incumbent Mariam Hamou is looking for a second term on council, but challengers Becky Williamson and Sam Trosow are also on the ballot.

A full list of mayoral and ward candidates could be found on the city of London’s website.

With quite a lot of latest faces across the wards, Global News has reached out to all those within the running and emailed a listing of 5 questions on a number of the key issues in the town, amongst them combating homelessness, addiction and mental health issues, inexpensive housing, and accessible public transit.

The responses for each candidate who replies might be shared below.

Now it’s time to satisfy the candidates for Ward 6.

Mariam Hamou

Q1. Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to motion to give you urgent solutions to handle London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?

I attended AMO (Association of Municipalities Ontario) and met with Ontario Cabinet Ministers to advocated for more funding for mental health and addictions, specifically for the COAST program  Furthermore, I asked the province for higher homelessness prevention tools and more funding for all types of inexpensive housing.

I’m committed to start out working on solving homelessness for our highest acuity needs residents which suggests constructing a team to solving this along with all hands-on deck. Using our Housing First policy and dealing with non-profits, like Indwell partnered with private donors, we are able to quickly house the unhoused.

Moreover, the Roadmap to three,000 Reasonably priced Units we’ll have the option to search out an answer to deal with our most vulnerable.

Q2. London business owners have recently highlighted a number of the economic challenges they’re facing particularly within the downtown core. What strategies do you plan to revitalize London’s downtown core to assist businesses thrive?

I see this as a part of our homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues plan. core is a core that’s protected and clean. I need to rent more front-line officers to make sure businesses are well protected. We’re still doing pandemic recovery and I’ve recently met with the Downtown BIA to debate what measures must be undertaken to make sure a successful recovery.

Q3. Affordability within the housing and rental markets is probably the most pressing issue for a lot of Londoners. If elected, what changes would you push for to ease the burden on Londoners in the case of the price of living?

My first concern in London is affordability. Over the previous few years, housing has develop into completely inaccessible, each for purchase and rent. Individuals who work in London should have the option to afford rent and a house in London. That is unfortunately not the case.

Working along with developers, social housing agencies, land and constructing owners, I’m on the lookout for projects that create inexpensive homes for families. Economist Mike Moffatt has advised London’s city council to approve and put money into constructing family sized units to cut back home prices. I understand persons are having a tough time with their budgets due to high inflation and I don’t need to burden Londoners with higher bills.

A rise in property tax rates will hurt owners, but especially renters who’re probably the most vulnerable on the affordability spectrum. Since a rise in property tax rates also increases the price of ownership, that is passed onto the renters. I’ll repeatedly fund the Housing Stability Bank and our many other programs. The town has many programs for individuals who need assistance with rent and I’ll proceed to fund these programs.

Q4. London is within the means of constructing three legs of bus rapid transit, but challenges remain for the north and west end of the town. What’s your vision for the subsequent phase of public transit in the town?

I’d prefer to see the north leg of the BRT approved and built. I would really like it, nevertheless, to be built on Western Road, as a substitute of Richmond Street. I also see transit convalescing with our latest electric fleet.

Q5. What’s your vision for London in the subsequent 10 years and the way can we get there?

I even have selfish reasons for improving London over the subsequent 10 years. I would really like to maintain my girls here so long as possible, so I need to take a position in higher transit, good bike paths, an entertainment district and a protected and healthy London. I do know this may attract talent to London. We also need to construct homes over the subsequent 10 years and we wish to construct 50,000 homes to make sure homes stay inexpensive. The province is already behind 1.5 million homes, so we’ll see some growth! The most important challenge we’ll have is attracting talent to London so if we invest properly and construct it properly, people will come.

Becky Williamson

Q1. Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to motion to give you urgent solutions to handle London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?

Homelessness is on the rise, and is a growing concern in lots of areas of the town (particularly within the core area), and those that suffer from mental health issues, addictions, and never having the ability to afford housing are those finding themselves in this case. Understanding what the basis problem for homelessness is is important when finding an answer.

When someone has a spot to call home, it might promote overall well-being. Being homeless affects an individual’s overall health; individuals with poor mental health are more vulnerable to the aspects that may result in homelessness, and homelessness amplifies poor mental health. Substance use and addiction is disproportionately higher amongst those experiencing homelessness (using substance alone doesn’t necessarily signal addiction, and plenty of which might be hooked on substances never experience homelessness). Inadequate income, employment, and education are contributing aspects to people cycling out and in of homelessness.

It’s investing in collaborative and rehabilitative programs, and supportive housing that may accommodate those affected by mental health and addictions, recognizing differences within the individuals who find themselves homeless, and assisting those segments otherwise. There is no such thing as a easy solution to homelessness, partly on account of the incontrovertible fact that persons are homeless for various reasons, and all of those must be taken under consideration when addressing this issue. An answer that may fit for one individual may not fit one other.

There must be a practical and compassionate approach. That is something that didn’t occur overnight, and due to this fact it would take money and time. Motion is required that takes into consideration the concerns of the homeless, and people liable to homelessness, the support organizations including the town and staff, local communities and business districts (not only the homeless population.) Adhering to the initiatives, strategies resembling the London Homeless Prevention and Housing Plan 2010-2024, and power kits which might be in place is significant.

We want to take a serious have a look at what each of the organizations involved are doing and never doing, evaluate what is really working and what isn’t based on results, after which work together towards resolving these very serious issues that concern us all. Simply adding more cash and doing more of the identical shouldn’t be the reply.

The town, each councillors and staff, need to take a look at these strategies and initiatives regularly, and make sure that they’re followed and that they evolve and alter with the present environment of homelessness.

Q2. London business owners have recently highlighted a number of the economic challenges they’re facing particularly within the downtown core. What strategies do you plan to revitalize London’s downtown core to assist businesses thrive?

Downtown is the center of the town, and there may be a have to bring life back to it to get people back to living, shopping, and having fun with all that the core has to supply. With all the brand new apartments and condos being built near the core there may be a have to revitalize this area for the people living there, and the remainder of London.

There are two issues (from my viewpoint) that must be addressed first when revitalizing the downtown core:

1. The homeless crisis – There may be a necessity to search out them a spot to live where they could be protected. There are various reasons as to why someone is homeless, and there must be the facilities situated within the areas where they’re.
2. The empty constructing space (Richmond and Dundas): Offering incentives to encourage the owners/landlords to develop these empty spaces for business development, and living spaces.

Many communities utilize tax incentives to advertise economic success, and to encourage the event of business and residential projects. There are various ways in which the municipality, and other levels of presidency, can work together to repair the infrastructure, create incentives, and improve accessibility.

Encouraging tourism and the humanities have a serious economic impact on most downtowns. The creative industries have a serious economic impact on a region, so possibly constructing a performing arts centre which is something that has been talked about up to now. In addition to more downtown community events and attractions, just like the summer festivals held in Victoria Park.

Addressing downtown redevelopment doesn’t involve a fast fix, but a long-term technique to support and finance projects by utilizing multiple programs to encourage the event of office, retail, residential, and humanities and entertainment projects.

Q3. Affordability within the housing and rental markets is probably the most pressing issue for a lot of Londoners. If elected, what changes would you push for to ease the burden on Londoners in the case of the price of living?

Reasonably priced housing, a spot to call home, is out of reach for various individuals who live in London. All Londoners deserve protected, secure, and inexpensive housing. Housing is a large concern for anyone living in a spot that doesn’t meet their basic needs or is not any longer in a position to afford housing on account of job loss, separation, illness, and for a lot of who want to buy or rent and can’t find inexpensive options.

There are roughly 5,000 Londoners currently on a waiting list for rent-geared-to-income-housing (2021). Here is the common rent in London in October 2022, based on Zumper:

• Studio apartment $1,145 per 30 days
• One bedroom $1,637 per 30 days(up 26 per cent from last 12 months)
• Two bedroom $2,150 per 30 days (up 30.4 per cent from last 12 months)

The City of London has set a goal of three,000 inexpensive units in 5 years.

A current development that could possibly be checked out as inspiration is the re-development of the Old Victoria Hospital area by the Vision SoHo Alliance. There might be over 650 units created of mixed rent apartment’s and as much as 60 per cent (390 units) might be inexpensive. One developer would take 15 years to develop the land; together 4 years max for non-profit and profit developers.

There may be a necessity for cheaper housing projects like SoHo Vision, nevertheless it takes time to construct latest buildings, and the issue is now. The town could have a look at the empty buildings around London that could possibly be repurposed for housing, resembling empty schools, and what city owned, provincial and federal lands sit empty that could possibly be used for brand spanking new builds and even tiny homes, like Wellington Road land which may be available after the BRT is built

Developers must be encouraged to incorporate a percentage of units to below market rental units and geared-to-income units with incentives resembling a speedier process for permits needed for his or her builds. Allowing for apartments buildings so as to add on more floors, even two extra floors could mean roughly 40 plus units. It’s promoting innovation and supporting initiatives which might be already in place. Nonetheless, these newly approved plans that include inexpensive units take time to construct, that is more of a long-term solution.

Housing First, offers “support to secure everlasting housing throughout the town of London for singles, couples and families who’ve a history of homelessness, and don’t receive another formal community support.”

Q4. London is within the means of constructing three legs of bus rapid transit, but challenges remain for the north and west end of the town. What’s your vision for the subsequent phase of public transit in the town?

There may be a necessity for higher busing and transportation in London. People should not comfortable with the present system, and due to this fact don’t take the bus because it takes too long to get them from point A to point B. They need more accessible and faster busing that may get them to the roles, including those which might be just outside the bus routes which might be currently in place.

The cancellation of the north and west phases of the BRT by city councillors has left London with senior government funding of $120 million, that was intended to construct these phases, which is now being allocated to constructing a latest LTC headquarters on Highbury Avenue, including a latest bus facility able to take care of a bigger fleet and evolve to support electric buses.

The Mobility Master Plan through Get Involved London lets Londoners make suggestions as to what they would really like to see for mobility around London, which incorporates transit, bike paths, and walking.

One suggestion to the vision of busing in London can be to think about Light Rail Transit (LRT). LRT runs on electricity and mixes well with traffic and other modes of transportation (BRT). With the opportunity of latest federal funding available in 2026, this could possibly be an option for the north and west phases of the bus system, these two legs will affect the scholars at Western University and Fanshawe College probably the most.

Or, we could fix what we’ve with predominant routes going north and south, with collector buses meeting on the connectors, and more bus turnouts (a delegated spot on the side of a road where buses or trams may pull out of the flow of traffic to select up and drop off passengers).

Q5. What’s your vision for London in the subsequent 10 years and the way can we get there?

Londoners know what the problems are here of their city and they give the impression of being to their elected city council to supply them with the solutions. But these solutions take money and time, and a few don’t have easy, simple solutions, resembling homelessness and inexpensive housing for instance.

There are strategic plans and initiatives which might be in place and we’d like to take a look at these for guidance. Nonetheless, we also have to make sure that these are followed, and that they grow and evolve as the town moves forward. Also, involving the community for his or her input and involvement, like Get Involved London. We should always work together to attain a standard goal.

My 10 12 months vision for the town, and need list, can be to eradicate homelessness, have inexpensive housing for all Londoners who need it, have protected streets for cyclists and pedestrians, a discount in crime, busing that individuals would really like to make use of, and more recycling. These I see as top priorities, nevertheless, there are other issues that may must be handled also.

• Homelessness – A spot where the homeless can feel protected and a spot to call home. Investing in collaborative and rehabilitative programs and supportive housing that may accommodate those affected by mental health and addictions that recognize the differences within the individuals who find themselves homeless and assist the segments otherwise.
• Reasonably priced Housing for all – Everyone in London deserves a protected, inexpensive place to live. Cheaper housing projects, like SoHo Vision. However it takes time to construct latest housing. The goal is 3,000 units in five years, but the issue is now. What could be done within the interim until latest housing could be accomplished and are there empty buildings that could be repurposed into housing within the meantime (schools, etc)? The usage of city owned land for tiny homes or shipping containers that will also be converted to housing could also be solutions for now.
• Secure streets – Cyclists and pedestrians have to feel protected on the streets of London. Well lit streets, with accessible and maintained bike lanes and sidewalks, is important to supply these protected streets. More traffic calming measures to cut back dangerous driving, like 40km/h speed signs and speed bumps.
• Reduction in Crime – Crime is on the rise in London, does this mean London needs more law enforcement officials, or can the town offload a number of the minor forms of offenses, like noise complaints, to bylaw officers.
  There may be a necessity for social employees in police services to assist handle the calls that the police should not equipped to handle, especially around mental health.
• Busing – I would really like to see someone take a bus around London that doesn’t take an hour plus. We want more accessible busing to get to work in areas that don’t have good busing
• More recycling – Compost or green bins, electronic waste, and material (fabric) pickup to be included within the weekly recycling program.
  It might even be nice to have water refill stations within the parks to assist eliminate plastic bottle use.
• Ring Road – Revisit the concept of constructing a hoop road. That is certainly one of the problems that has come up various times while talking to people in Ward 6. A option to get from north London to the 400 Series Highway. This was being considered years ago, nevertheless, other municipalities, that the ring road would should undergo, didn’t want this.

Sam Trosow

Q1. Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to motion to give you urgent solutions to handle London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?

I supported The Forgotten 519 on the time of their call to motion because I agreed with their approach about coping with homeless issues in London. We want to support and take heed to the front-line service providers and thoroughly consider the best way to improve services and facilities to London’s unhoused and homeless as a part of the upcoming budget process.

In the long term, it would cost more to disregard these issues than to properly fund needed facilities and services. London councillors also have to advocate for a regional approach where similar efforts are being made in other municipalities.

Q2. London business owners have recently highlighted a number of the economic challenges they’re facing particularly within the downtown core. What strategies do you plan to revitalize London’s downtown core to assist businesses thrive?

The town must do something in regards to the unhealthy emptiness rate within the downtown core. Office towers have been overbuilt and underutilized. I’m in favor of a two-pronged approach.

First, the town should higher use its licensing and health and safety powers to start out a licensing program for vacant properties. The licensing fees will support inspections of vacant units and if there are compliance issues, they may must be addressed.

Second, the town must be cooperating with willing owners who need to return their properties to productive uses. I would really like to see conversions of unused office space residential, particularly inexpensive housing, together with retail, live-work, artistic spaces and other cultural uses. Londoners must be using these spaces within the core and we cannot proceed to permit investors to simply sit on their vacant properties while the downtown deteriorates.

Q3. Affordability within the housing and rental markets is probably the most pressing issue for a lot of Londoners. If elected, what changes would you push for to ease the burden on Londoners in the case of the price of living?

London is facing a severe housing affordability crisis which might’t be solved just by constructing more market rate and luxury units. The brand new council must take daring and inventive steps to curb speculation, encourage the re-use of vacant properties, prevent the further deterioration of our existing housing stock, and goal development to appropriate infill projects.

More specifically, I might address the issue of vacant units through a registration and licensing program, each for residential and business units. Downtown business vacancies must be considered for conversion to residential and mixed uses.

I support the establishment of a London RentSafe program, much like Toronto RentSafe, as has been advocated by housing rights groups.

The present council recently voted down a proposal to develop a marketing strategy for an identical project for London by a vote of 10-3, and this was unlucky. The town’s code enforcement efforts must be improved, more constructing inspections are needed, and residents have to have a better option to report dilapidations, code violations, noise issues, and other safety hazards of their homes and neighborhoods.

The town’s rental unit licensing program must be expanded and improved, and the town must higher make sure that affordability considerations are part of recent developments. Focused lobbying of federal and provincial governments for more equitable and fair housing laws, more funding for inexpensive housing, and native flexibility within the planning process should proceed.

As housing costs rise, and as displacement pressures increase, the town must take stronger steps to guard existing tenants. All Londoners deserve protected, secure, and fair housing, and the town could make a difference within the lives of its residents and in the standard of the town’s rental housing stock.

Q4. London is within the means of constructing three legs of bus rapid transit, but challenges remain for the north and west end of the town. What’s your vision for the subsequent phase of public transit in the town?

The failure to finish an inexpensive public transportation network is now being reflected within the worsening traffic, unsafe streets, and general lack of mobility. We want to construct the remainder of this network going out Oxford Street West and going from downtown to the north. All reasonable route options must be on the table, however the goal should be improving mobility, not simply inducing development.

On the outset, we’d like service improvements. In Ward 6, we’re seeing too many buses just too full to select up passengers. Is that this demand a surprise? Also, we cannot proceed to expand residential development to latest areas on the periphery without service expansion, and this should be figured into the developers’ costs. We want to focus on development to reasonable infill projects where the supporting infrastructure already exists.

Improving public transit, identical to improving our energetic cycling network, won’t only help people get to their destinations, but it would reduce emissions from our over-reliance on motorized vehicles. The brand new council must address these issues as a priority.

Q5. What’s your vision for London in the subsequent 10 years and the way can we get there?

My vision for London is a city that lives as much as its description because the Forest City. Where residents can afford to live in decent and secure housing, where there may be an adequate public and energetic transportation system, and where growth is planned, and sprawl is minimized. My vision is for a various, inclusive community, one which is protected and secure for individuals of all ages, incomes, identities and backgrounds.

We get there by having engaged, experienced and knowledgeable members of council who’ve the political will to make hard decisions. My background, education and experience combined with my underlying commitment to public sector gives me a singular vantage point to handle many problems in Ward 6 and within the broader city.

— questions by Global News’ Jaclyn Carbone and Maya Reid.