The three emergency shelters included in the review also have additional “crash mats” to accommodate overflow in extenuating circumstances.

In 2018 and 2019, on average, 138 shelter beds were occupied in Windsor Essex on the average night: 75 of these are occupied by single adult males, 32 by single adult females, 12 by youth, and 19 by families.

Windsor Essex’s emergency shelter system capacity is on the lower end of the spectrum of the jurisdictions reviewed, based on the number of beds per population (lower ratio of beds to population represents a higher capacity). Windsor Essex has more capacity than Halton Region, Kingston, or Northumberland, but less capacity than seven other jurisdictions reviewed. Higher capacities suggest that the system may be better able to meet the demands for shelter. However, if the number of beds is higher than the demand it can result in underutilization of beds and inefficient use of funding.

System wide, the region’s shelter occupancy rate is 91%.

The Windsor Essex shelter system has some flexibility to expand at times of higher demand, through overflow beds at the permanent shelters and the use of additional motel rooms when beds are needed for families.

Current State of Emergency Shelters during COVID

Best practices and service delivery models continue to evolve as the pandemic progresses. It has become evident in Windsor-Essex, and throughout Canada and the world, that congregate housing creates opportunities for community spread of communicable disease and communities are considering the built form when delivering emergency shelter services.

“Housing has become the frontline defense against the coronavirus. Home has rarely been more of a life or death situation.”

– Leilani Farha, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing

During the pandemic, the City received additional provincial funding through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) and federal funding through Canada’s COVID -19 Economic Response Plan. In April 2020, the City entered into a short-term funding agreement with the Downtown Mission to provide funding for additional costs incurred as a result of the pandemic, including providing furnishings to support physical distancing, opening up during the day time hours, and increased staffing and cleaning protocols.

Additional funding was also provided to the Salvation Army and the Welcome Centre for COVID-related expenses. Funding was also used to establish the COVID Isolation & Recovery Centre, and expand drop-in services for people experiencing homelessness at Windsor Waterworld.

Waterworld transitioned from operating as a recreation facility to a homelessness response program beginning April 20, 2020. To date, the program at the facility has supported the progressive engagement for persons experiencing homelessness as an