Homeless in Windsor

According to a dated 2019 article on CTV news,”Officials predict 1,200 people will experience homelessness by the end of 2019, while 170 people are considered chronically homeless”  The article talks about the Windsor plan to end homelessness by 2028, and here we are in 2021 with even more people homeless or on the verge due to the Global Covid 19 pandemic.  Our most urgent matter is the building of a new Downtown Mission shelter to replace the building they have used for 20 years.

Windsor Essex Housing and Homelessness master plan

The problem that we are presently experiencing in Windsor, Ontario is the lack of co-operation between our Mayor and the Director of the Downtown Mission.  The Downtown Mission moved into its present location (a church) 20 years ago. In the last two years they have been actively searching for a new location. The City sold the old library building to the Mission but no one wanted the mission on the main street Ouellette so the building was re sold. Another offer was made on a site on McDougall that was outside of a residential area. There were many people who were very excited about this location. But the City continues to drag their heels regarding permits and this location may be lost.  There are thousands of people called “The Angels for the Homeless” in the city and I am an admin for the Facebook group.  We spend countless hours driving around the city, delivering food, clothing or helping to find housing.  The ever increasing numbers of people living below the poverty line are growing and these people are being given food through the various groups who drive through the city daily.

This city can not be without a shelter.  We are asking all residents of Windsor to pressure their MP, MPP, Ward 3 councillor Rino Bortolin and our Mayor Drew Dilkens.