Outreach Winter Expansion to Support Vulnerable and Homeless Community Members

A temporary enhanced outreach initiative has been initiated to strengthen outreach coverage and improve coordinated responses to homelessness in Windsor during evenings and weekends.

Through a collaboration between the Mobile Outreach Support Team and City of Windsor Social Workers, this temporary program expands service availability to better engage individuals experiencing homelessness and connect them with supports that can improve health, safety, and housing outcomes.  

By calling 311, non-emergency support can be dispatched between 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. during the week, and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on weekends. When 311 is closed, callers can select the homelessness response menu option to connect with dispatch for homelessness support. Homelessness can also be reported online or through the Windsor 311 app.

Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST) Van 

To enhance direct outreach during evenings, service is being provided through the Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST) van partnership 7 days per week. Delivered collaboratively by Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Windsor-Essex County Branch, and Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE), the MOST van will now operate daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. until March 31, 2026, and will be available to respond to requests for service through 311.

The expanded service will allow outreach teams to provide timely support, conduct well-being checks, offer basic needs supplies, and respond to community concerns both during the week and on weekends.  

Outreach/Social Work Team

In addition to the MOST van expansion, City of Windsor Housing social workers will provide clinical assessment support working alongside Family Services Windsor-Essex outreach workers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.  City staff are working with FSWE outreach workers to engage individuals earlier in the day, strengthen relationships, and support connections to shelter, housing programs, and health services. This expansion is in addition to the existing Homelessness Street Outreach led by Family Services Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

By layering these two outreach components, the partners can respond directly to service requests beyond weekday hours and aim to ensure more consistent, responsive support for the community’s most vulnerable residents throughout evenings and weekends.