A bibliography of the reports described in this background, as well as others referenced within this report, is available in Appendix A.

Discussion:

The needs of students have not been specifically addressed in the City’s Housing and Homelessness Plans to date, nor in the Housing and Homelessness Plans of other comparable municipalities like Hamilton, London or Waterloo. Although many students who attend the University of Windsor or St. Clair College are established Windsor residents prior to enrollment, a significant portion of Windsor’s student population moves to here primarily to attend school for just a few years.

Currently, there is a sizeable gap between the need for affordable housing and the available supply, which has led to long wait times for existing Windsor residents. Increased extra-regional and international recruitment by post-secondary institutions in recent years has also placed even more pressure on Windsor’s already low vacancy rates as students outbid our most vulnerable residents for a limited number of dwelling units close to transit and amenities.

Post-secondary institutions are best equipped to establish eligibility conditions and service timelines that work for students. Because of this, they are viewed as the most appropriate service providers for affordable student housing. The tools available to municipalities to incentivise or compel post-secondary institutions, as well as limitations in doing so, are discussed in the sections that follow.

Several licensing regime proposals have been brought before Council, However Council has after much deliberations decided not to adopt any. Instead, Council has directed Administration to pursue education and outreach activities alongside increased enforcement of existing by-laws to ensure properties are maintained within prescribed standards. Complaints received through 311 are routed to the appropriate department and investigated by City staff in Building, By-law Enforcement or Fire. Inspectors and enforcement officers then communicate with callers and property owners with the goal of bringing neglected properties back into compliance, including issuing Orders to Comply or Repair and, if necessary, remedying certain unsafe conditions by assigning a contractor and applying the costs to the property tax bill.

Municipalities do not have authority to levy fines against offenders, however. If compliance cannot be reached voluntarily, the municipality initiates a prosecution against the offender by laying a charge. The charge must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction and have a fine imposed by the Ontario Provincial Offences Court. To be successful in court, officers must present lawfully gathered evidence to prove the validity of their charge.

For charges related to exterior conditions like tall grass, broken windows, or missing shingles, officers can gather the necessary evidence, usually photographs and notes, from lawfully accessed exterior locations. When investigating a private residence, inspections and enforcement personnel have limited ability to gain access without the participation of a property owner or resident. Section 16(1)(a) of the Building Code Act requires officers not to enter or remain in room or place being used as a dwelling without the informed consent of the occupier, including informing them that the right of entry can be refused. Staff cannot simply enter a private residence to determine