outbreak among our residents. We have also been able to assist nine families and ten singles to move out of shelter and begin to rebuild their lives in their new home.

We also were in discussions with City Administration and were prepared to create ten overflow shelter spaces for families that met Health Unit standards, at a rate much lower than is presently being paid for motel rooms. Thanks to our partners at Habitat for Humanity, we had actually begun reconfiguring space and preparing for families.

To ensure the safety of those staying with us, as well as the broader community, we have incurred some significant additional expenses related to staffing, cleaning, transportation, and PPE. Despite, this Matthew House has received no financial support from any level of government.

The Role of Donor Funded Agencies

Matthew House is simply one of the “…additional shelters with varying funding sources...” referred to in the report. However, together, these agencies represent a significant part of the homeless shelter system in Windsor. The VINK report alludes to the power of these organizations and the opportunity presented to the City to partner with them. In fact, should the City choose to partner with donor funded organizations, they can tap into economies of scale thus reducing per bed/room costs. Further, they will create a more resilient and diverse system that is better able to respond to the needs of people experiencing a broad array of barriers to housing, thus housing people faster and keeping them stabilized in their housing with supports that meet their unique needs.

The Role of Donor Funded Agencies However, the City’s current reliance on the work of Donor funded organizations is not sustainable, especially at times of crisis and stress like we are experiencing due to COVID-19. Thanks to our incredible donors, Matthew House is presently meeting its budget, however we cannot take our donors for granted, especially as the financial impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt in our community. That being said, should our donations drop, we would be forced to reduce staff and potentially close beds. At present, that would result in 38 men, women, and children entering the City funded shelters. At the peak of the pandemic that would have meant that the City would have had to find beds for 10 additional singles and 14 families.

Conclusion

I wish to thank City Administration and Cassandra Vink for an excellent report on the City funded shelters. I hope that this submission has provided you with some insight into the role that the “additional shelters” play in our homeless shelter system and will be an aid to knowledgeable decision making on our current and future shelter needs.

Matthew House remains committed to doing our part to help ensure that every man, woman, and child has not only shelter, but the supports and services they need to never become homeless again. Should you wish to discuss this submission or how we would be prepared to work with the City of Windsor, please contact me at 519-945-7627 ext. 4 or mmorency@matthewhousewindsor.org .

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Morency
Executive Director
Matthew House Refugee Centre, Windsor