London's Micro-Modular Shelter

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London, like many cities across Canada, is facing significant challenges related to housing affordability and homelessness. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort between all levels of government and community partners. These challenges are not unique to London but reflect broader systemic issues across Canada.

The City of London’s long-term goal is to increase access to supportive, affordable, permanent housing. While that work continues to advance, many people experiencing homelessness need immediate help. In response, the City is developing a micro-modular shelter site at the intersection of Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road as an additional measure beyond the services already in place that provide housing and support to vulnerable individuals.

London’s Micro-Modular Shelter will provide safe, private housing space with 60 furnished units, each with electricity, heating, and cooling. Ten of these units will be designed for couples who want to live together.

It is anticipated that participants will have access to case management, help navigating services, and mental health and addiction supports.

The site will also have washrooms, showers, a dining area with meals provided onsite, office space, and parking. Laundry services will also be provided.

Safety features will include 24/7 staffing, safe entry measures, cameras, and lighting throughout the site. Safety of the participants, staff, and neighbouring business community are of critical importance.

The main goal is to help people stabilize, get the supports they need, and move toward permanent housing.

The project was endorsed by City Council on October 14, 2025, and follows a Mayoral Direction to develop a plan for a temporary micro-modular shelter site in London. The site will operate for up to two years, until the spring of 2027. The City is directly overseeing the planning, permitting, construction, and operation of this project

The site is expected to welcome participants in January 2026, pending completion of required site preparations. The City is finalizing the installation of shelter units and all supporting facilities, including showers, washrooms, and communal spaces, to ensure the site is fully ready for opening.

Construction at Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road

The project includes the installation of a new sanitary private drain connection and water service. This requires the removal and restoration of the existing road surface, curbs, and gutters at the intersection of Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road. Construction is expected to begin in early December and will take approximately three weeks to complete.

To complete the work as efficiently as possible, the intersection of Max Brose Road and Cheese Factory Road will be closed during construction. In addition, a temporary “No Stopping” zone will be in place on Commerce Road, north of Max Brose Drive, to allow London Transit (LTC) buses to safely turn around during the closure. Signage will be posted and enforcement will take place throughout construction.

LTC Route 30 will be temporarily detoured during construction, with a temporary turnaround in place on Commerce Court. Transit users are advised to visit the London Transit Commission website for the most up-to-date information.

London, like many cities across Canada, is facing significant challenges related to housing affordability and homelessness. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort between all levels of government and community partners. These challenges are not unique to London but reflect broader systemic issues across Canada.

The City of London’s long-term goal is to increase access to supportive, affordable, permanent housing. While that work continues to advance, many people experiencing homelessness need immediate help. In response, the City is developing a micro-modular shelter site at the intersection of Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road as an additional measure beyond the services already in place that provide housing and support to vulnerable individuals.

London’s Micro-Modular Shelter will provide safe, private housing space with 60 furnished units, each with electricity, heating, and cooling. Ten of these units will be designed for couples who want to live together.

It is anticipated that participants will have access to case management, help navigating services, and mental health and addiction supports.

The site will also have washrooms, showers, a dining area with meals provided onsite, office space, and parking. Laundry services will also be provided.

Safety features will include 24/7 staffing, safe entry measures, cameras, and lighting throughout the site. Safety of the participants, staff, and neighbouring business community are of critical importance.

The main goal is to help people stabilize, get the supports they need, and move toward permanent housing.

The project was endorsed by City Council on October 14, 2025, and follows a Mayoral Direction to develop a plan for a temporary micro-modular shelter site in London. The site will operate for up to two years, until the spring of 2027. The City is directly overseeing the planning, permitting, construction, and operation of this project

The site is expected to welcome participants in January 2026, pending completion of required site preparations. The City is finalizing the installation of shelter units and all supporting facilities, including showers, washrooms, and communal spaces, to ensure the site is fully ready for opening.

Construction at Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road

The project includes the installation of a new sanitary private drain connection and water service. This requires the removal and restoration of the existing road surface, curbs, and gutters at the intersection of Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road. Construction is expected to begin in early December and will take approximately three weeks to complete.

To complete the work as efficiently as possible, the intersection of Max Brose Road and Cheese Factory Road will be closed during construction. In addition, a temporary “No Stopping” zone will be in place on Commerce Road, north of Max Brose Drive, to allow London Transit (LTC) buses to safely turn around during the closure. Signage will be posted and enforcement will take place throughout construction.

LTC Route 30 will be temporarily detoured during construction, with a temporary turnaround in place on Commerce Court. Transit users are advised to visit the London Transit Commission website for the most up-to-date information.

  • Project Update: December 3, 2025

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    Work continues to advance the Micro-Modular Shelter project at the intersection of Max Brose Drive and Cheese Factory Road, with several milestones completed as the project moves toward welcoming residents in early 2026.

    Procurement and Construction Progress

    The City has completed several procurement milestones needed to advance the project:

    • Shelter units: Following a competitive procurement process, the City awarded a contract to Fero International Inc. for the supply of 60 micro-modular units. Each unit includes interior and exterior lighting, heating and air conditioning, outlets for charging devices, and is designed to applicable electrical and structural codes.
    • Site preparation: Plans for grading, servicing, lighting, and electrical work are complete. Construction to install a new sanitary private drain connection and water service is expected to begin in early December. The site layout has been expanded slightly to create smaller community areas within the site. While this results in higher capital costs, it will help service providers support residents more effectively and create a more positive environment for participants.
    • Additional infrastructure: Work is underway to secure key components like fencing, security cameras, lighting, electrical and plumbing connections, furnishings, and internet services. Wherever possible, City staff are using existing contracts to support cost-effective and timely implementation.

    Operator Selection

    The City of London has selected Xpera as the Micro-Modular Shelter site operator following the recent call for applications. Xpera is one of Canada’s largest emergency and risk-mitigation firms, with extensive experience in emergency relocation and accommodation services, temporary housing sites in remote areas, risk assessments and safety planning, and supporting communities during large-scale emergency responses.

    Their background includes recent deployments with Emergency Management Ontario, where they supported more than 5,000 evacuees with 24/7 administration, logistics, security, and resident supports. Xpera has also supported wildfire evacuations, Red Cross isolation sites, asylum-seeker accommodation centres, and other emergency housing settings, including supporting nearly 400 evacuees in London in August of 2021.

    At the Micro-Modular Shelter site, Xpera will be responsible for day-to-day operations, including supervision and safety protocols. Staff are trained in trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, cultural awareness training, first aid/CPR, and crisis response. Xpera will work with the City of London and community partners to support site operations, safety, and service delivery.

    Transit and Accessibility

    City staff met with the London Transit Commission (LTC) to review Route 30 service along Cheesecake Factory Road, next to the micro-modular shelter site. Route 30 runs Monday to Friday, 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 to 11:30 p.m. Any increase in service would require more resources and could not happen before September 2026. The nearest bus stop is about 180 metres from the site entrance. A new stop could be added but would require a concrete pad. Since the current stop meets distance guidelines, involved added costs, and construction isn’t feasible in winter, this option will be revisited in spring 2026.

    Permitting and Approvals

    The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reviewed the initial submission and expressed support for the project. As expected, MTO requested a drainage plan and a lighting plan, both of which have now been completed and submitted. A permit is also required for the water and sewer connections on site, and a building permit application has been submitted. City staff do not anticipate any delays to the project schedule due to permitting.

    Next Steps

    The contract to supply the micro-modular shelters has been awarded, and remaining procurements are being finalized. The site is on track to receive the shelters in December and to welcome the first group of residents in January 2026.

    Learn more by reading the Community and Protective Services Committee Report – December 9, 2025.

Page last updated: 11 Dec 2025, 05:46 PM