During the pandemic, the City of Windsor allocated additional funding to the Salvation Army, Welcome Centre, and entered into a funding agreement with the Downtown Mission to assist with immediate adjustments to their services in response to COVID-19. Approximately $648,000 (for the period March 15 th to June 30 th ) was allocated to the three shelters for COVID related expenses that include extra staffing and PPE. It is expected that the shelters may require a similar level of funding for subsequent quarters, in order to adequately respond to the pandemic. This funding is subject to monthly reconciliation and actual expenditures may come in lower.

Emergency Shelter Review

Emergency shelter services are one component within a system of services to address resident needs, and need to be considered within that larger continuum of homelessness and housing program delivery.

Administration will bring forward reports to City Council with recommendations for the future state of the emergency shelter system. Any proposed changes that Council may consider regarding its number of funded beds, shelter service providers, and overall shelter composition, must consider an operating and/or capital funding level that would allow shelters to provide services that align with those being recommended in this report.

Implementing recommendations from the Emergency Services Review may require human and financial resources from Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, along with community partners, and other sector organizations. Historically, the City has received funding from both the Province and Federal governments to support operating costs for shelters or to support people in longer term permanent housing.

In future years, where implementation of recommendations from the Emergency Shelter Review could potentially impact the City or County operating and/or capital budgets, Administration will seek City and County Council’s approval prior to implementing a strategy if the operating and capital cost of such implementation has not been included in an approved City or County Budget in the respective fiscal year.

Consultations:

Linda Higgins, Manager of Intergovernmental Subsidies and Administration

Conclusion:

The City of Windsor is the Service Manager charged with delivering housing and homelessness services on behalf of the Provincial and Federal governments, in addition to being responsible to City Council. Emergency shelter services are one component within a system of services to address resident needs and need to be considered within that larger context. That context is changing due to COVID-19.