Warming bus was a success, but needs funding to be feasible, officials say

As cold weather approaches, the City of Windsor is seeking additional funding to operate its warming bus, a mobile shelter that provided essential services last winter. During its 55 nights of operation from February to April, the bus served over 300 vulnerable individuals, many of whom were homeless, struggling with mental health or addiction issues, and often barred from traditional shelters. The initiative, which cost $143,500 and was funded by a one-time $1.1 million grant from Infrastructure Canada, adapted quickly to community needs by shifting from a fixed route to an outreach model.

City officials, including Andrew Daher and Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino, expressed confidence that provincial or federal support would materialize soon, emphasizing the bus’s success and necessity. Agostino highlighted rising emergency shelter usage, with local facilities reporting an 18-24% increase in visitors, raising concerns about capacity constraints this winter. He noted the complex challenges surrounding homelessness, advocating for housing solutions to address the issue comprehensively. Plans for the warming bus could expand to year-round operation, with an estimated annual cost of $819,000, aimed at providing cooling services in summer as well.

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