Former London city councillor Stephen Orser is making homelessness the centrepiece of his campaign as he seeks a return to city hall in what candidates are calling a “wide open” race for Ward 4 in the upcoming municipal election.
With incumbent Coun. Susan Stevenson running for mayor instead of seeking re-election, several candidates have entered the contest ahead of Ontario’s municipal election on Oct. 26. Significant boundary changes to Ward 4 have also created a largely new voter base, making the race one of the city’s most closely watched.
Orser, who previously served two terms on council before losing his seat in 2014, has unveiled what he calls the “Homeowners Homeless Plan.” To demonstrate the concept, he has invested approximately $50,000 of his own money to convert his single-car garage into a fully permitted self-contained living suite complete with a private entrance, bathroom, kitchenette and radiant heating.
Under Orser’s proposal, the City of London would provide homeowners with grants of up to $125,000 to convert garages, basements or other unused spaces into affordable housing units for people experiencing homelessness. Participating homeowners would also receive a temporary property tax exemption while enrolled in the program.
The grants would be paid out over 10 years. If a homeowner leaves the program early, the grant would become a repayable loan. Rent would be capped at below-market rates, with tenants paying roughly half of their Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program benefits. After the 10-year period, homeowners could rent the units at market rates and resume paying property taxes.
Orser argues the proposal would provide a more cost-effective alternative to municipal shelter programs, pointing to London’s micro-modular housing site, which costs approximately $7 million to establish and operate while housing about 70 residents. He also suggested the province would need to provide exemptions under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act to allow participating homeowners to remove tenants more quickly if serious issues arise.
The former councillor said innovative solutions are needed to tackle London’s growing homelessness crisis, which he believes has significantly affected the city’s downtown.
Other candidates welcomed discussion of new approaches but raised questions about the proposal.
Bob Wright, a former school board trustee making his fifth bid for city council, said the concept aligns with provincial efforts to encourage additional residential units but believes the financial implications for taxpayers require careful examination.
Business executive Mario Jozic, who previously ran for Ward 9 and now seeks election in his home ward, described homelessness and public safety as major campaign issues. While supportive of practical solutions, he called Orser’s proposal only one part of a much larger challenge facing the city.
First-time candidate Tom Cull, London’s former poet laureate and an employee of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, said residents have shown strong interest in the election during his campaign. After knocking on roughly 1,300 doors, Cull said voters are primarily focused on affordability, public safety, homelessness, traffic congestion, downtown revitalization and municipal services.
Candidates have until Aug. 21 to file their nomination papers. Ontario municipal elections will take place on Oct. 26.
