by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
Members of County of Essex Council had to decide whether or not an Intensive Supportive Housing Program should continue in the County. The program assists the most vulnerable in the community.
The County and City began to operate an Intensive Supportive Housing Program three-years ago, which provides specialized support to individuals experiencing homelessness and facing complex medical needs, mental health issues, and/or addiction issues.
This program is offered through one facility for the county. The City also operates one as well.
After over an hour of conversation at the January 15 meeting, Essex County Council voted to direct Administration to commence a formal procurement process with respect to an Intensive Supportive Housing Program in the County, report back to Council regarding the outcome of the same, and to pursue a short-term contract with a service provider until the RFP process concludes.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy made the motion, which Administration provided as an option. She made a slight amendment to the original.
The alternative was to direct Administration to wind up the existing Intensive Supportive Housing Program in the County, and to take such steps and expend such monies as are necessary for the same.
County Council also supported Bondy’s motion to put forward a motion that County Council ask the provincial government to increase the funding of the Homelessness Prevention Program, so municipalities can better support individuals in the community experiencing homelessness.
She said the County of Essex is not receiving enough provincial funds to support vulnerable residents in the community who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The resolution will be sent to AMO, the Western Wardens Caucus, local MPPs, and the provincial opposition party leader.
Instead of just sending letters, LaSalle Deputy Mayor Mike Akpata suggested local MPPs and the Minister be invited to attend County Council to explain the province’s position on funding to County Council and the public.
“I want them to come here and explain to us why,” he said.
The letter and request were passed unanimously.
Background on the Intensive
Supportive Housing Program
The City of Windsor is the consolidated regional service manager for the city and the County of Essex for social services, David Sundin, Director of Legislative and Legal Services/County Solicitor, explained.
In that role, the City receives funding from the provincial and federal governments to provide social services to the whole region, including programs that address homelessness in the City and County.
For many years, the City has been providing the County with a portion of the provincial funds it receives. The County then operates programs within County municipalities.
For 2025, the County of Essex has been allocated $2.49M to operate the County’s programs, and the County adds $448,640 municipal tax dollars annually to supplement the funding.
Sundin noted the bulk of that County funding goes into the traditional supportive housing program, providing permanent housing, food services, supervised care, and other supports to low-income individuals requiring some assistance.
In 2022, the County and City began to operate an Intensive Supportive Housing Program, which provides specialized support to individuals experiencing homelessness and facing complex medical needs, mental health issues, and/or addiction issues.
The City’s program is funded by the province and a substantial contribution from its taxbase, Sundin explained. To date, the County’s program has been funded by the province, but no contribution from the taxbase.
The County program is set to expire at the end of March. It will be unable to continue unless there is commitment from the County to provide municipal tax dollare or the city reconsiders the amount allocated from the provincial and federal funds.
If the County decides it wants the County program to continue, the program can be funded from Safe Restart Funds in 2025. Going forward, however, the County will have to fund at least a portion from the municipal taxbase.
Because of the expense, Administration had to approach Council to decide to fund the program or let the service provider know the County program will be ending.
Based on a Request for Information (RFI), Sundin noted the County would need to contribute $120,000 to $390,000 annually.
Council discussion
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey said it is essential to have a provider working within the provincial funding framework. She would like to think the County could find a provider that could continue to offer this level of service within the funding framework that is currently in place through the province.
She was interested in conducting a procurement, so the County could provide the level of service it needs within the funding framework.
LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche would also like to see the County request information or a proposal, but noted the County needs to put the parameters of the program out there as to what the County can provide in terms of funding.
She does not want to see the program go away.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said the County failed to be loud about this and advocate for residents to local MPPs, which she believes needs to be done.
“We need to make sure they are at this table, having the discussions, because it is our municipal tax dollars that are going to this. We’ve also failed to be successful in discussing with the city, in making sure the sister programs are getting equal funding,” Bondy said.
In answering Bondy’s question on timing, Sundin noted it is hoped to put out the Request for Quote quickly to come back to Council before the end of March with responses. At that point, the current program can be extended for a period of time to allow for the transition.
“It is easy for upper-levels of government to just toss this down at the feet of local municipalities, because we are at the bottom. We are the ones closest to our constituents and our residents. It is unfortunate we are asked to utilize property tax dollars that – in my opinion – is a healthcare issue in our community,” Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara added. “We can’t abandon these people.”
He believes municipalities have a responsibility to ensure every citizen has the ability to have a roof over their head, and the adequate support and care needed, so they can live their lives.
Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley supported commencing with a formal procurement process. He believes the supports need to be kept going, but within the provincial funding model.
“If we have those same loud voices that were going crazy when the greenbelt was opened up over this issue, which to me is a much more pressing issue, the province would possibly step-up and do their job and their federal counterparts, as well,” Shepley said.
The County is going to start filling in the gap of a provincial responsibility, Council needs to consider how much it is willing to take on, Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong said. She was supportive of looking for a provider that could stay within the budgeting framework, “because I think if we are going to start talking about using municipal tax dollars to fill-in the provincial gap, we should be looking at the needs of all of our housing and see where best we can put those dollars.”
LaSalle Deputy Mayor Mike Akpata pointed out if not this, then EMS, the emergency room, and police services are often needed.
There is a specific group of people with a specific need the County has a responsibility to ensure they are taken care of, “because if we don’t I know where they will end up.”
Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb had concerns that not adding municipal tax dollars to the Request for Interest would result in County staff not being able to return with a solution.
“We are going to have to spend money on this,” Gibb said, adding the funds “ought to come from the province, but it isn’t.”
He wanted the ability for staff to return to the table with different options that County Council can later debate.
Information provided by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) notes “the homelessness crisis in Ontario is severe and getting worse. More than 80,000 Ontarians were known to be homeless in 2024, a number that has grown by more than 25% since 2022.
County Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti, who is also the Deputy Mayor of Tecumseh, pointed to the AMO info that noted “the situation will only get worse if we don’t take action. Without additional action, homelessness will continue to increase. Even under a steady economic scenario, homelessness in Ontario could double over the next 10-years and could grow to almost 300,000 people in an economic downturn.”
He had concerns about sustainability. “We need to be stronger, louder advocates at the upper-levels of government to get some kind of plan in place,” he said.
Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt made the motion to direct administration to commence a formal procurement process within the allocated funding formula for the supportive housing program and report back, should a funding provider be found.
He said the County was taking the pressure off the upper-levels of government that are responsible for this.
In Gibb’s opinion, voting for the motion “is really just a ‘no,’ but not saying ‘no.’”
In a vote of 10-4, the motion failed.
Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue spoke of how the Premier at the last AMO Conference noted he had not and would not raise taxes.
“Because you do not raise taxes at a level of government like this, the only option then is for him to push it onto us,” Prue said.
In terms of issuing an RFP and weighing the financial component, CAO Sandra Zwiers explained there are a number of mechanisms that can be utilized in the overall evaluation that also looks at the technical service being offered. The County can use a sliding scale in an open and transparent way. This could open up the opportunity to see who can offer what level of service for what dollar amount.
Hotel Dieu, FSWE, SECC voice support for Intensive Supportive Housing Program
Representatives of Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital, Family Services Windsor Essex (FSWE), and South Essex Community Council (SECC) approached County of Essex Council at the January 15 meeting, speaking to the importance of the program.
Kevin Matte, Director of Outpatient Mental Health Services, strongly advocated for the continued operation of the Intensive Supportive Housing Program within the County.
When many of its clients face housing and stability issues, safe and stable housing is essential for recovery, Matte said.
“Homelessness exacerbates mental health challenges, making recovery nearly impossible. It forces individuals into crisis cycles, relying heavily on emergency services, hospitals, and shelters, which cost the community far more in the long-term,” Matte added. “I have no doubt if this initiative is discontinued, the direct result will be homelessness for multiple people.”
The County’s Intensive Supportive Housing Program provides an opportunity for powerful partnerships within the health sector. Specifically, that includes Hotel Dieu’s Assertive Community Treatment Team, an inter-professional group of healthcare workers working together to provide care directly in the home, he added.
“With stable housing provided by this program, our clients engage in outpatient treatment and can continue to avoid the revolving door of the emergency services and hospitalizations.”
Ciara Holmes, Acting Executive Director, noted that Family Services Windsor Essex provides services and support to Essex County residents who are experiencing – or at risk of – experiencing homelessness.
It operates the Homeless Hub drop-in centre in Leamington, where it also runs the County’s Winter Warming Centre. It provides the homeless outreach worker and operationalizes the County Homeless Shelter program.
“The importance of the Intensive Supportive Housing Programs as a vital part of the County’s broader strategy to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues cannot be underestimated,” Holmes said. “When we look at community safety and wellbeing, and the plan for our region, ensuring residents of our communities have access to safe and affordable housing is critical.”
Family Services Windsor Essex faces the challenge of finding affordable housing, and supporting individuals with very complex needs. Both are equally challenging.
“Rates of mental illness and addiction are increasing at rates that are putting significant strains on our health and social services systems, and finding solutions to these complex issues is challenging, but we do know it takes all levels of government to invest in real solutions,” Holmes said.
She noted the County’s Intensive Supportive Housing Program offers a permanent housing option for those who would otherwise be without, Holmes said, adding potential consequences of discontinuing the program include increased homelessness, strain on emergency services, and greater reliance on shelters.
“While continuing the program requires a County investment, the cost of inaction may be higher than the amount requested to keep the program going,” she warned, noting she realizes there is work to do to acquire Ontario Health dollars to fund supportive housing in the region.
In the meantime, “there is a need here and now.”
Carolyn Warkentin, Executive Director of SECC, noted her agency is proud to provide space to the Essex County Homelessness Hub (ECH2) and support to the individuals accessing the Homelessness Hub.
SECC is not a housing and homelessness expert, but provides a variety of other services, including employment support, language and literacy training, settlement services, affordable transportation, and Meals on Wheels.
“We see a lot of folks coming in for our services, who can and do benefit from the services that are provided by the ECH2 Hub. We rely on our many partners to work with us when these challenges present themselves amongst the people we serve,” she said.
The needs of some of the individuals served are more urgent and more complex than they have been in the past, Warkentin said, adding supports provided through the hub are critical to assisting individuals long-term.
“These individuals and families want to live in the county communities, and when we don’t provide these services in the County, we create additional barriers to receiving client-centred care in the communities in which they choose to live,” Warkentin noted. “This work is important and the support in the county is vital to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, reside, and belong in our county communities.”