The wind cuts across an empty stretch of land on the southern edge of London, Ont., where rows of small, cabin-like units sit far from bus routes, shops and the downtown core.

For Tim Magee, who spent years living in a tent in the woods, the move there was supposed to be a step forward. Instead, he says, it feels like being pushed further out.

“I’ll go back to the streets or back to the bush somewhere,” Magee said. “I’ll be more comfortable out there than here.”

Magee said he plans to leave the site, citing isolation, strict rules and the cost of staying there.

He is one of roughly 66 people living at the city’s new micro-modular shelter site, a temporary housing project designed to provide private units and on-site supports for people experiencing homelessness.

Advocates say his concerns reflect broader challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, particularly when housing options limit autonomy or are located far from services.

“Individual freedom is important to all of us,” said Chuck Lazenby, executive director of Unity Project, a social agency that operates an emergency shelter and supportive housing services in the city.

“Poverty and homelessness are constantly having rules imposed on them — how they can access things, when they can access them and in what way. In combination with isolation, that can feel too burdensome for day-to-day living.”

The city says the site is a work in progress, intended first as a temporary housing solution to help people transition to permanent housing, and then with access to supports such as health care, income assistance and housing services being added over time.

Chris Green, the project manager for the micro-modular shelter, said the city is prepared to respond to residents’ concerns to improve the experience and service.

“I’m very proud of how it’s going,” he said. “We can start to focus more on comfort and try and make this the best possible situation for folks.”

A 2025 report from Western University’s Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion found the number of people experiencing homelessness in London rose from about 1,844 in 2022 to more than 2,200 by 2024–2025.

The site, which opened in January and has more than 100 people on its waitlist, has been praised by city officials as a step toward permanent housing.

Concerns raised about isolation and loss of autonomy

Before moving into the micro-modular site, Magee had been living in a tent in what he described as “the bush” with a small group of others.

He said he had initial doubts about the move but decided to give it a try.

“At first, I thought it would be a good idea, but now I regret it,” he said. “I call it a warehouse for the homeless.”

Magee said much of that frustration stems from the site’s location on the outskirts of the city, far from transit, services and daily amenities.

“There’s nothing here for us,” he said. “You can leave anytime you want, but what are you gonna move to?”

He also pointed to rules at the site — including a no-visitor policy and restricted access to facilities such as showers — as limiting his sense of independence.

“Might as well say you’re in jail out here,” he said.

Costs underscore affordability challenges

The site’s rules and location are not the only factors shaping Magee’s experience.

He said deductions from his income to cover shelter costs have left him with significantly less money to live on.

“My cheque went from $1,400 down to $466 … I can’t justify that,” he said. “Where is all this money going? I’d like to know, but we don’t get answers.”

City officials say payments made by residents are based on existing income-support programs, such as shelter allowances, Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, and vary depending on individual circumstances.

City says site is evolving to meet residents’ needs

Green said the site is continuing to expand its supports to better meet residents’ needs.

He said residents now have access to services such as income assistance, health care and employment programs aimed at helping them transition into permanent housing.

“We’ve started to implement addiction supports and mental health support,” Green said. “We try to listen to the community and address what they need.”

Green acknowledged the site’s location on the outskirts of the city presents challenges, but said options were limited when selecting a space large enough for the project.

He said the rules were put in place as part of the site’s initial rollout, but can be reviewed over time.

“We developed those policies with social service agencies across the city and looked at other micro-shelters,” Green said. “This was the best place to start for stability and safety, but it’s something we can revisit.”

Green said the site was built quickly to respond to winter conditions and provide immediate shelter, and that the focus is now shifting toward improving comfort for residents. He said with warmer weather, the city is also looking at ways to build community, with such things as a community garden.

Lazenby said the issue goes beyond any single program and reflects broader systemic challenges.

“When we actually look at homelessness, people want to point to drugs or mental health, but it’s poverty that we’re dealing with,” she said. “The cost of living has gone up extraordinarily. There’s no program that’s going to fix that unless we also have changes at the provincial and federal level.

“This is a crisis that we’re contending with that is larger than we have the resources to respond.”