Site Identified for Location of New Housing Hub

The City of Windsor is excited to announce the next step in addressing homelessness and protecting our most vulnerable population by bringing key social services and housing together in one location!

After examining 200 properties and reviewing four specific Expressions of Interest by property owners, 700 Wellington Avenue has been determined and approved by City Council as the location for the new Housing Hub, as it is best equipped to meet the growing needs of our community.

Following Council direction, administration initially attempted to negotiate the purchase of this site but was unsuccessful and will use expropriation to move the process forward.

“This seven (7) 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 the Glos Associates Inc. report, including but not limited to the following:

• Located within a 2-kilometre radius of the downtown core;
• Located on a major transit corridor and walkable to most core supports and services;
• Low risk for site safety, stigma, and building security:
  • Property dimensions allow for the development to be positioned in a way that provides privacy and dignity for participants, while also reducing the risk of loitering outside of the facility;
• Large enough to accommodate potential additional housing units to operate as affordable housing and provide additional social services supports; and
• The opportunity for community revitalization and economic redevelopment on a site that has been historically undeveloped.

As the Housing Hub project continues to move forward, there will be ongoing outreach by the City to discuss potential partnerships and co-location opportunities with local organizations that provide complementary services in support of this initiative.

The establishment of the Housing Hub and the offering of ancillary services will be essential to reduce long-term homelessness and provide program participants with robust social services in one location, allowing them to achieve their fullest potential. This initiative is also offered in support of the City’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan.