The following chart provides a cost comparison of the responses for people experiencing homelessness:
Taken from: https://w w w .homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/cost-analysis-homelessn ess
Current State of Emergency Shelter Services in Windsor Essex
The Salvation Army and Welcome Centre have long standing agreements with the City of Windsor to provide emergency shelter services for single men, women and families. Funding is provided through the provincial Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI). CHPI investments in Windsor Essex have been weighted primarily in prevention, early intervention and long term housing programs. Approximately 16% of the CHPI funding envelope is allocated to the emergency shelter program.
The Salvation Army provides shelter services for men 18+ experiencing homelessness and offers 26 beds. The Welcome Centre for Women and Families offers 12 beds for women 18+ on site and facilitates shelter stays in motels for families. Youth ages 16-18 may be accommodated at these shelters under exceptional circumstances only.
The Downtown Mission originated in the early 1970’s as a drop -in centre operating out of the Central United Church on Ouellette Avenue. Over the years, they have expanded services and changed locations, finally settling at their Victoria Avenue location in 2001. In 2008 the Mission opened the Sanctuary that provided mats for people experiencing homelessness at their Victoria Avenue site and operated as an overnight shelter at that location until they moved their shelter beds to their Ouellette location. They currently offer 103 beds serving anyone 16+.
Although the City of Windsor has not contracted with the Mission for their services, they attend meetings, and actively participated in the 5 year review for the 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan and the Emergency Shelter Review. The CEO of the Mission is a member of the Community Advisory Board for the federal Reaching Home funding.