Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government this week announced over $3 million to help build 11 new permanent affordable housing units for people experiencing chronic homelessness in the City of Windsor.
Home Together: Windsor Essex Housing and Homelessness Master Plan was approved by Windsor Council and this project will create longer-term housing solutions for the community and is in alignment with the
“Premier Ford and our government are focused on solving the housing crisis. That’s why our Social Services Relief Fund is providing immediate housing and homelessness relief in communities across Ontario,” said Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing.
“Supporting innovative solutions like these new supportive housing units in Windsor is critical as we work to keep our most vulnerable safe and housed, both during the pandemic and into the future.”
In Budget 2021, Ontario released $175 million for mental health and addictions services and supports, building on prior year investments of $176 million announced in October 2020, and $174 million in Budget 2019.
Also in Windsor this week, $1.8 million was announced for 26 supportive housing units for vulnerable populations including Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and those at risk of homelessness.
“Supporting innovative solutions like these new supportive housing units in Windsor is critical as we work to keep our most vulnerable safe and housed, both during the pandemic and into the future,” Clark said.
An old office building is being converted to 26 supportive housing units that will be operated by the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities of Windsor/Essex County Foundation (APPD). Residents will be close to public transportation, parks, shopping, pharmacies, hospital care, a library, and employment opportunities.
As highlighted in Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, today’s announcement is part of the province’s Social Services Relief Fund, which has provided over $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help municipalities and Indigenous program partners create longer-term housing solutions and help vulnerable Ontarians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“This project is a win all around by further increasing access to accessible housing in the heart of Sandwich near key services. This adaptive reuse of the existing offices means that more of our residents will have homes without barriers,” said Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie.