About Us
Providing affordable rentals to Londoners since 2004.
LAHF was formed in 2000 to address the growing housing crisis in London Ontario. We received charitable status in 2004 and began raising funds to help solve this problem. The first project was completed in 2007 and the organization grew from there.
Almost 20 years later, LAHF is now partnering with five other non-profits in London to make ‘Vision SoHo’ a possibility. The combined projects will be a hybrid of ‘market homes’ and affordable housing. Once completed, the complex will make a difference in hundreds of Londoners lives.
Our Mission
To deliver quality and affordable housing that supports the needs of families and individuals with the help of donors, builders, government and business.
Our Vision
We are a group of like-minded individuals with a passion for helping the residents of our community to find affordable and stable housing.
Sister Joan Atkinson
Board Chair
Read Bio
Sister Joan Atkinson, CSJ, is a Founding Director and is presently thePresident of the London Affordable Housing Foundation. She has been involved with all of LAHF's projects in a fundraising and project development capacity. Sister Joan has also served as a volunteer on the planning committees of two National Housing Conferences, All Our Sisters National Network on Women and Homelessness. She has worked as an educator with the London and Middlesex Catholic School Board and at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto, the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto, and has served on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.
Vacant
Board Vice Chair
Read Bio
Dania Parker-Smith
Board Secretary/Committee Chair
Read Bio
Dania and her husband have lived in London since 2013, when they relocated from Perth County. Dania is a local residential Realtor in London and knows the pain points with affordability for our residents. She desires to be part of the change in London to spotlight the urgent housing need we have in our community.
In addition to being an experienced realtor in our community, Dania brings her experience in Labour Relations and Human Resources. She has a heart for giving back and previously served as the Board President for the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network of Ontario before it became a priority program with the provincial government. Dania hopes to be part of something bigger than herself that will positively impact Londoners, and her purpose in life is to leave people better than she finds them.
Artem Serikov
Board Treasurer
Read Bio
Artem Serikov currently works as Senior Account Manager, Business/Personal with the Royal Bank of Canada, managing a portfolio of small business clients. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Artem brings a strong financial background to his role with LAHF. He possesses an MBA degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Artem is also a long-term Board member of the London Housing Registry and serves as Vice-President of the Business Club of London.
John Venezia
Board Member
Read Bio
Brenna Keatinge
Board Member
Read Bio
Robert Sexsmith
Board Member
Read Bio
Since 1965 Bob Sexsmith has served his community in a variety of community and neighbourhood organizations, faith groups, cooperatives and unions. He has served as Director of the London & Middlesex Housing Corporation, as Chair for Neighbourhood Legal Services for London & Middlesex, as a Board Member and Executive Board Secretary of the Advocacy Centre for Tenants, and as Chair of the London Homeless Coalition.
Vacant
Board Member
Read Bio
Louise Motuzas
Board Member/Fundraising Chair
Read Bio
Louise Motuzas, is the President of Thrive Business Consulting which she founded in 2013.
She and her husband founded and ran a successful computer business in London for many
years employing up to 20 employees. This experience gave her a wealth of useful skills and a
solid common-sense approach to business and personal matters. Louise lives in the downtown
core and sees the plight of the homeless every day. She believes adequate housing is a right
not a commodity and is passionate in her desire to provide affordable housing for all
Londoners.
Common Questions
When was London Affordable Housing established?
LAHF was established in 2001 and received its charitable status in 2004. The first housing unit was completed in 2007.
What percentage of my donation is going directly to a project?
As an organization, LAHF has not relied upon paid staff members. We lean on our Board of Directors, allowing us to designate your generous donations directly to our projects. We are passionate about improving the lives of lower-income people in our community. Having a "working" Board assures you that your funds are being allocated where you have directed them.
When is Vision SOHO expected to be completed?
The Vision SOHO project is expected to be completed by 2024. The project broke ground in October 2022 and is on track to be completed in the next three years. The fast turnaround is essential in helping address the growing housing crisis in London Ontario.
Where can I find upcoming community meetings for Vision SOHO?
Updates on the Vision SoHo project and any other LAHF projects will be announced on our media page.
Do you have statistics on homelessness in London?
The current wait list for affordable housing in London Ontario is upwards of 7,000 individuals and families.
Where do I go for housing?
If you are in need of affordable housing, please visit the City of London affordable housing page.