Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness in London (Official)

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Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness in London (Official) Please note that this page does not have the capacity to provide Frontline assistance.

Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness provides housing-outcome focused emergency shelter, supportive housing and in-home housing stability support programming for individuals of all genders age 18+ who are struggling to escape and avoid homelessness. Intake to our shelter is currently centralized through the City of London's Housing Prevention Team at 519-661-4663. Unity Project is a registered charity governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and a team of over 30 staff members. Housing First principles are actioned by promoting self-determination and choice, applying a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach, employing Motivational Interviewing and assertive engagement practices, providing individualized and strengths-based support, emphasizing housing as a basic human right, and focusing on moving individuals from shelter to permanent housing with wraparound supports as quickly as possible. Staff use the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System to support a collaborative and shared case management approach.

From the vault. Some more history...Did you know our flagship fundraiser, UPwithART, has a history that goes all the way...
10/07/2026

From the vault. Some more history...

Did you know our flagship fundraiser, UPwithART, has a history that goes all the way back to 2005?

It represents years of rich history, mixing art and social justice like paint on a palette. It was the natural outcome of Unity Project’s embrace of arts and culture and our experience of residents arriving at our door with almost nothing but art supplies tucked under their arms. After returning in 2011, UPwithART became the annual event we know and love today.

The first UPwithART events were mounted in 2005 and again in 2007 as a grassroots gala to showcase the many artists among Unity Project residents, staff, volunteers and founding members. It was organized by UP frontline staff Rachel Ayres, Matti Paquiz and the late Linda Moore, and has remained a crowd favourite. First hosted by Tamara Moro at the Guildhouse Gallery 2005 and by Wendy Saby at the Self-Employment Centre in 2007. Since 2011, it re-emerged as an annual event.

There are 5 more days to go in our UP Turns 25 campaign! Donate here: https://unityproject.ca/up-turns-25/

Housing First starts with a simple idea: people need a home before they can begin to rebuild other parts of their lives....
10/06/2026

Housing First starts with a simple idea: people need a home before they can begin to rebuild other parts of their lives.

Instead of asking someone to fix every challenge they may be facing before they can access housing, Housing First helps people move into permanent housing as quickly as possible. From there, they can choose the supports that make sense for them, whether that means help with health, mental health, substance use, finances, relationships or other challenges.

It is an approach built around choice, dignity, and the belief that people should have a say in what happens next. It also recognizes that people do not have to be “ready” or have everything figured out before they deserve a safe and stable place to call home.

We’re proud to have helped bring this approach to London. In 2017, we created a Housing First Toolkit, and in 2018, we fully transitioned to a housing-focused emergency shelter model.

That approach continues to shape how we work today: helping people move toward housing and stability, while meeting them where they are along the way.

From the vault... home has certainly looked different over the years. From Tent City at Campbell Memorial Park in 2001, ...
10/05/2026

From the vault... home has certainly looked different over the years.

From Tent City at Campbell Memorial Park in 2001, to a temporary stay at the Salvation Army Warehouse at Horton and Richmond, to a farmhouse on Fanshawe Park Road in 2002, and finally, in 2003, to our current home at 717 Dundas St.

It’s been quite a ride. But through every move, our incredible community of supporters have stood by us, opening doors, rolling up sleeves, raising funds, sharing our story and helping us keep moving forward.

This journey has reminded us that Unity Project’s story has never been just about a building. It’s about the people who keep the lights on. 25 years later, we reflect in gratitude. This is the final week of our campaign; please give if able: https://unityproject.ca/up-turns-25/

Tom and Joanne Cowan $5K officially unlocked! ✅🔑We have seen so much support from every corner of the community so far. ...
10/01/2026

Tom and Joanne Cowan $5K officially unlocked! ✅🔑

We have seen so much support from every corner of the community so far. Let’s sprint past our $25,000 goal! We’d appreciate donations, likes, shares, anything to spread the word. Thank you so much!

www.unityproject.ca/up-turns-25

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, th...
09/30/2026

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Widespread public commemoration and acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history, continued impact, and intergenerational trauma of Canada's residential school legacy is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Unity Project observes this day by encouraging our staff to engage with this day - to learn, reflect, and participate in a meaningful way.

Listen to indigenous voices. Engage with indigenous art. Learn the traditional names and places where you live, learn and work, and of the treaties that govern and inform our history on these lands. Here are some resources and events in the community.

- Lunch & Learn Webinars: https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/

- Reading & Information: https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/

- Wampum Learning Lodge: Sunrise Ceramony & Sacred Fire, Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Ceremony at 6:45 AM)

- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Concert: Rebecca Hass: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, von Kuster Hall, Music Building, Western University, 1151 Richmond Drive

- Anishinaabe Water Walk:10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Patio behind Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/water-walk-tickets-1997049679350?aff=oddtdtcreator

- Reading & Education: https://atlohsa.com/pages/education-home

- Book: 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

- Homeless Hub report: https://homelesshub.ca/resource/storying-truth-and-journeying-towards-reconciliation/

09/28/2026

We’re only $500 away from unlocking Tom and Joanne Cowan’s $5,000 matching anniversary gift!

That means we’re SO close to reaching our next $5K milestone in our 25th anniversary campaign. Stella’s jumping with excitement, and says: LET’S GET THAT KEY: www.unityproject.ca/up-turns-25/

Every dollar supports a coordinated, housing-focused response, through immediate needs and emergency shelter to transitional housing and ongoing in-home housing stability supports, helping people and pets alike get one step closer to getting the keys to a home of their own.

In Stella’s case, treats may also be involved.

Building Stability, Celebrating 25 Years, Giving Back. Our September newsletter tells a participant's story, highlights ...
09/24/2026

Building Stability, Celebrating 25 Years, Giving Back.

Our September newsletter tells a participant's story, highlights a new 25th anniversary $5K campaign match by Tom and Joanne Cowan, and gives thanks to RONA+ London North and RONA+ London South for selecting us for their Home Sweet Home campaign.

Give it a read and subscribe for more UPdates!

https://mailchi.mp/unityproject.ca/building-stability-celebrating-25-years-giving-back

Thank you so much!
09/15/2026

Thank you so much!

Another $5,000 is waiting to be unlocked!  Tom and Joanne Cowan have stepped forward, with a $5,000 matching anniversary...
09/11/2026

Another $5,000 is waiting to be unlocked!

Tom and Joanne Cowan have stepped forward, with a $5,000 matching anniversary gift for UP Turns 25. When our community gets us to $15,000, their gift takes us straight to $20,000 – just shy of our $25,000 goal.

We’re getting close. Help unlock the next $5K today.

www.unityproject.ca/up-turns-25

We don’t hope for another 25 years of homelessness services. We hope for a community where we’re no longer needed. Until then, we’ll keep showing up.

Today is the 25th International Overdose Awareness Day. As a community and within our system response, we must keep work...
08/31/2026

Today is the 25th International Overdose Awareness Day. As a community and within our system response, we must keep working to preserve life and dignity, reduce harm, and create pathways to treatment.

More info about the day: https://www.overdoseday.com/

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717 Dundas Street
London, ON
N5W2Z5

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