Windsor's shelter system is adding 73 overnight "warming centre" spaces this winter.
As soon as staff are hired, 35 spaces will be added at the City of Windsor's Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4).
The other beds will be added to the Salvation Army, Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and the Essex County Homelessness Hub.
According to the latest survey of homeless individuals in the community, 282 people indicated they sleep outdoors most of the time, a 58 percent increase compared to 2023.
Despite that increase, the city administration is confident the additional space will meet the needs.
"Our experience has been that not everbody will access the shelter or even these warming centres," said Jennifer Tanner, Manager of Homelessness and Housing Support. "I think if we added 282 beds we would find that we'd have a lot of empty space."
The number of unique individuals seeking shelter has increased 8 per cent this year compared to last year.
The additional warming spaces are being funded through the federal government's Reaching Home Incremental Funding. It will cost a total of $818,769.
