Ontario Construction News staff writer
After considering 200 properties and reviewing four specific Expressions of Interest from property owners, the City of Windsor has selected 700 Wellington Ave. as the location for a new housing hub.
Council has directed staff to negotiate the purchase of the site, but the process was unsuccessful, and the city will now expropriate the property to move the process forward.
“This seven-acre site provides enough space to develop at least 64 one-bedroom permanent supportive housing units as well as common space for programming, services, and other amenities,” said Andrew Daher, Commissioner of Human and Health Services. “This is a giant step forward for our community.”
The property meets many of the key factors initially identified through a report from Glos Associates Inc., including:
- within a two-kilometre radius of the downtown core
- on a major transit corridor
- low risk for site safety, stigma, and building security
- large enough to accommodate potential additional housing units
- opportunity for community revitalization and economic redevelopment on a site that has been historically undeveloped.
As the housing hub project continues, there will be ongoing outreach to discuss potential partnerships and co-location opportunities with local organizations that provide complementary services in support of this initiative.
Establishing the hub and ancillary services is considered “essential to reduce long-term homelessness.”