Walking through London, Ontario, the city tells two stories at once. From one point of view, there are streets filled with people grabbing coffees, running errands, and going about their day. From the other, tents and makeshift shelters quietly line parks and alleyways- a daily, visible reminder that thousands of residents do not have a place to call home. The contrast between prosperity and need demands an immediate, structural response. London needs a solution with the speed and scale to match the crisis.
Building Faster, Not Cheaper
Mayor Josh Morgan is championing a significant shift with modular housing. These are not flimsy, temporary shelters; they are high-quality homes built off-site in factory-controlled environments, designated to give people immediate safety, privacy, and stability.
The advantage of modular construction is time. While traditional projects can take a year or more, modular units can be manufactured as site preparation is underway, dramatically accelerating the creation of new homes. This efficiency is why the City of London is looking at this method; it can provide more homes than conventional construction in the same period, offering a practical response to the city’s urgent housing crisis.
The city has shared concept images. Bright, modern units are complemented by terraces, gardens, and carefully planned walkways that make them feel like a neighbourhood, not an institution. Thoughtful design, shared spaces for connection, and small outdoor areas send a clear message: “You belong here.”
National Momentum for Modular Solutions
Modular housing is rapidly moving from an experimental idea to a primary strategy in Canada’s management of the housing crisis. London’s plan is part of a broader national trend.
As other municipalities like Toronto and Hamilton race to meet their housing targets, modular housing is proving to be a critical tool. A major modular housing community is planned for Toronto’s Downsview lands, demonstrating how coordinated public-private partnerships can leverage this method to accelerate the construction of affordable units (Kennedy, 2025).
Dignity as a Foundation
London urgently needs this action. With nearly 2,000 people on the city’s homeless list and shelters constantly full, the time for incremental change is over.
The success of these modular communities hinges on more than just physical blocks; it’s about the support services integrated into them. For these projects to be true solutions, and not just a relocation of the problem, they must be coupled with wrap-around support.
If executed successfully, these homes could be more than just buildings. They could become powerful symbols of a city that prioritizes dignity and community, offering residents a genuine chance to not just survive, but finally have a place they can truly call home.
https://money.ca/real-estate/downsview-canadas-first-major-modular-housing-project
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