
Homelessness and housing help site can relocate anywhere in Windsor, says council
On Monday, the majority of city council voted to lift the previously-imposed boundaries and allow staff to look for potential H4 sites across Windsor.
The H4 is currently temporarily operating out of the former Windsor Water World building at Wyandotte Street East and Glengarry Avenue.
The hub operates year-round, offering help and drop-in services to those seeking shelter.
It's also an emergency overnight shelter during cold weather.
A study that was undertaken by the city in 2022 outlined that the H4 should be located within two kilometres of downtown Windsor. The reasoning was that the help hub should be accessible to those who need its services most, and also be near healthcare services.
A property at 700 Wellington Ave. was selected by the city as a permanent site for the H4 — with the proposed facility offering 64 one-bedroom units.
Leadership of the Downtown Mission of Windsor said they would re-locate to be closer to the Wellington Avenue site.
In late 2024, city council cancelled the plan, citing costs.
The new widening of the site-selection process was driven by downtown councillor Renaldo Agostino.
At the May 12 council meeting, Agostino questioned the two-kilometre restriction, and argued that the city's efforts to improve the downtown core were "not working."
On Monday, Ward 10 Coun. Jim Morrison said he supports expanding the area for the H4 because "it looks like we've been doing nothing."
Ward 8 Coun. Gary Kaschak said he's in favour of finding a new site, but he believes a boundary needs to be in place to ensure the H4 is connected to downtown services.
Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac agreed.
"I think we have to be cognizant of the fact that the community took part in an extensive undertaking," Gignac said.
Gignac expressed worry that the city has set expectations for other service providers that the H4 would be downtown.
Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis shared that concern — but he supports expanding where the H4 can be located.
"We can't lose sight of what the key objective is, and the ripple effects," Francis said.
City staff say more services inside H4 allow for wider site selection
At Monday's council meeting, city staff members said they believe improvements to what the H4 offers will allow them to select a site outside the previously determined boundaries.
"I don't know if a two-kilometre radius is necessarily best practice," said Dana Paladino, the city's acting commissioner of human and health services.
"Location to the emergency room is not as critical as it was."
According to Paladino, the H4 now benefits from Shelter Health, a service that provides emergency care for people using shelter spaces.
Paladino said mental health care supports are also being added to the H4, and court services are more accessible today because of the prevalence of virtual meetings.
As a result of council's decision on Monday, city staff will now consider potential sites for the H4 city-wide, then bring a list for council to review.
From there, council will select the site and ask upper levels of government for funding to build the facility.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CTV News
20 minutes ago
- CTV News
Animal shelter capacity issues in Greater Sudbury
Northern Ontario Watch Officials in Greater Sudbury say they are struggling with capacity at their animal shelter and with people cancelling adoption appointments. Madison Marier reports.


CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Toronto Zoo to take in blind, baby moose after province approves transfer from Ottawa
Social Sharing The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. "The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother," said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a "fantastic alternative." In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. "Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo," Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. WATCH | Ottawa rescue looks to transfer baby moose to Toronto Zoo: A blind baby moose calf may be coming to the Toronto Zoo 2 days ago A blind baby moose calf needs a new home — and the Toronto Zoo might hold the answer. CBC News spoke to a rescue centre in Ottawa about its challenge in rehabilitating the young moose, Cedar, and why it's turning to Toronto for help. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. "Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important," DeJong said. "Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive." DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. "Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations," he said. "And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him." At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. "This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible," he said. "He's certainly been through a lot," DeJong said. "It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly." Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said.


CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Sudbury pet owners should be putting a leash on it
A recently installed sign in Greater Sudbury's Flour Mill community reminding residents to keep dogs on a leash. (Photo courtesy of Cascada Duguay) Officials with the City of Greater Sudbury are reminding residents that dogs are required to be both on a leash and under the owner's control when leaving their property. Owners of dogs who are found off-leash on public property can face a provincial offence notice, which carries a set fine of $300, plus court costs. 'We have seen an increase in complaints about dogs off leash throughout Greater Sudbury over the past couple of months,' said city communications advisor Riley Adams, in an email to CTV News earlier this month. Download our app to get local alerts on your device Get the latest local updates right to your inbox The city has provided a list of reasons to keep your pets on a leash: It keeps your dog safe. While on a leash, dogs are less likely to get hit by a vehicle, get into a fight with another dog or get injured from wildlife. It's part of being a good neighbor. Not everyone is comfortable with dogs and it's not polite for your dog to run up to other dogs or people uninvited. It can improve your relationship with your dog. Walking a well-trained dog on a leash is enjoyable and helps to maintain a strong bond. It reduces accidents and animal bites. Finally, it is the law. This law is meant to protect the safety and well-being of you, your pet and other people and animals. 'We always aim to educate before we enforce. It is the hope that this PSA will remind residents that keeping dogs on leash is important for everyone's comfort and safety,' said Adams. Sudbury does have three off-leash dog parks. The Azilda Dog Park on Municipal Road 15, the Minnow Lake Dog Park on Second Avenue and South End Dog Park on Countryside Drive. All three parks feature separated fences areas for small and large dogs and are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Residents can report an animal control bylaw complaint by contacting 311 by phone or online. For more information on the city's leash laws or exceptions, visit the city's website.