Windsor city council has approved converting the Windsor Homelessness and Housing Help Hub into a 24/7 overnight emergency shelter and adding 73 new warming spaces to address the rising number of homeless individuals as winter approaches. The decision follows a 26% increase in households experiencing homelessness in Windsor-Essex, with 902 households reported in October 2024, up from 718 in 2023. Emergency shelter use has risen 8%, and the number of households sleeping outdoors has grown by 58%. Additionally, the average shelter stay has increased by 43%.
The new 73 warming spaces will include 35 at the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub, operating from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m., and 38 at other shelters like the Salvation Army and Welcome Centre for Women and Families. These are expected to open soon, aiming to reduce the number of individuals exposed to the cold.
Officials attribute the crisis to rising costs of living, mental health issues, and addiction. Long-term homelessness remains a major issue, with 70–75% of households caught in chronic cycles lasting months or years. Shelter occupancy rates are high, with 95% of emergency beds occupied in 2024, emphasizing the growing need for supportive interventions.
Read the full story with accompanying video on CTV News: