CMHA TVAMHS Receives $5 million in new funding from Health and Homelessness Fund for Change

Funding will help create 115 new highly supportive housing apartments

The Health and Homelessness Fund for Change today announced $5 million in capital funding to Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA TVAMHS) to help create 115 new highly supportive housing apartments.

“We are incredibly grateful for this substantial investment,” said Pam Tobin, CEO of CMHA TVAMHS. “This $5 million in capital will accelerate our ability to create supportive housing that meets people where they are and moves them toward wellness, stability, and belonging. We’re grateful to our partners for their trust in our vision.”

The $5 million Fund for Change funding will support two projects:

• The Hills (248-254 Hill Street) in the SoHo (South of Horton) neighbourhood: Mid-sized, 4-storey apartment building with 33 one-bedroom units, with 7 of those units and all indoor and outdoor common areas being fully accessible. The expected start date of the project is fall 2025, with occupancy planned for fall 2026.
• Huron Street: (644-646 Huron Street) in the Northeast district: Mid-sized, 7-storey apartment building with 82 units comprised of 27 studio, 28 one-bedroom, and 27 two-bedroom units, with 17 of those units and all indoor and outdoor common areas being accessible. The expected start date of the project is early 2026, with occupancy by winter 2027.

Highly supportive housing, a key element of London’s Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response, is designed to ensure people experiencing homelessness can access permanent housing with the wrap-around health and social supports they need to maintain a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home. To date, a total of 406 highly supportive housing units are open, in development, or included in endorsed proposals that are seeking funding—marking significant progress towards the creation of 600 units over three years.

The 115 units from CMHA TVAMHS’ the Hills and Huron Street developments will be a substantial advancement in supporting more Londoners who are experiencing homelessness and with comprehensive program options available, the spaces offer many options to individuals with acuity ranging from high to low.

“These developments are more than bricks and mortar – they allow a space for hope and dignity to be built in our community,” said Dean Astolfi, VP of Supportive Housing and Program Development at CMHA TVAMHS. “This funding will have a lasting impact, not only on the lives of the people we support, but on our entire community.”

CMHA TVAMHS operates over 20 different supportive housing programs, and more than 1,400 people access the organization’s supportive housing services every year. The programs offered combine safe, stable housing with wraparound supports. The programs are designed to help individuals maintain housing, improve their wellness, and create stronger outcomes for clients and the community.

“Highly supportive housing is a proven solution that gets people off the streets, and helps individuals move forward with stability and dignity,” said Mayor Josh Morgan. “This investment means more Londoners will have a safe place to call home and the supports they need to stay housed—an essential step in our city’s efforts to reduce homelessness and build a healthier, stronger community.”

Powered by a transformative $25 million commitment from a London family who wishes to remain anonymous, the Fund for Change has distributed and committed $17.4 million as of May 2025 to support key elements of London’s Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response. In addition, the London community has also donated $6.3 million to date to the Fund for Change, which the donor family has matched to $12.6 million.

“CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services has a proven track record of providing supportive housing that meets the needs of people living with complex health challenges. Through the Fund for Change, we are proud to support these two new projects that we know will make a lasting difference in people’s lives,” said the Fund for Change anonymous donor.

See the Fund for Change webpage at www.FundForChange.ca for more details on funded projects. The Fund for Change is administered by London Community Foundation in partnership with the donor family.

“The generosity and open hearts of Londoners in supporting the Fund for Change and efforts to address our health and homelessness crisis demonstrate the power of community giving. We thank each and every Londoner for their support,” said Diane Silva, President and CEO, London Community Foundation.

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About the Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA TVAMHS): CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (TVAMHS) is an integrated mental health and addiction agency providing community-based supports and services to individuals living in London and the counties of Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and South Huron. CMHA TVAMHS is one of the largest branches in the national CMHA federation, with more than 650 employees and approximately 300 volunteers, serving communities across three counties with a total population of over 635,000. www.cmhatv.ca

About the Health and Homelessness Fund for Change: The Health and Homelessness Fund for Change, fueled by a transformative $25 million donation from a London family who wishes to remain anonymous, primarily provides funding to help fast-track the creation of Hubs and highly supportive housing. The Fund for Change is administered by London Community Foundation in partnership with the donor family.

About the Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response: The Health & Homelessness Whole of Community System Response is a coordinated, community-wide effort to address the growing number of individuals in London experiencing homelessness and housing deprivation—many of whom have increasingly complex health and social needs.

More than 200 individuals representing 70 organizations from a wide range of sectors came together to co-create a strategic roadmap for transformation. The resulting system is people-centred and housing-focused, designed to meet individuals where they are—without judgment—by offering culturally safe, low-barrier, inclusive care that is trauma- and violence-informed. The approach is rooted in anti-oppression and anti-racism principles and grounded in harm reduction.

Central to this work is the understanding that housing is healthcare—and a fundamental human right.

About London Community Foundation: London Community Foundation, founded in 1954 by J. Allyn Taylor, is a public foundation where people and families establish charitable funds. The Foundation is dedicated to improving communities across London and Middlesex County through collaboration, strategic leadership, and innovative solutions to charitable giving. By investing gifts in perpetuity, London Community Foundation helps ensure the long-term vitality of our community.

Media contacts: 

Jillian Driessen
Communications Coordinator
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services
519-318-6605
communications@cmhatv.ca

Jennifer Foulds
Communications Director
London Community Foundation
(647) 771-5815
jennifer@lcf.on.ca

Andrea Rosebrugh
Manager, Media Relations 
City of London 
519-619-4603
media@london.ca