The City of Windsor is considering repurposing the former Windsor Arena as an expansion of the Housing and Homlessness Help Hub (H4)
The city has been looking for a larger, permanent location for the H4 since 2021.
"We're looking at this as the next possible step. We think that this actually could have some legs if done right. We're going to put all the costs together, we're going to seek funding from provincial and federal governments," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. "I would say we're not pitching the towel in on an H4 site somewhere else. It's just been the work that's been done over the last couple of years, tell me where?"
Dilkens indicated they are looking for models that would work best for the city and downtown.
"There are some models in place in other communities that would be interesting to replicate here. That would give a pathway to get some folks off the street, a pathway to treatment, and a pathway to housing as well," said Dilkens.
The Windsor Arena has been vacant for over a decade.
The city considered selling the property as part of the Housing Solutions Made for Windsor strategy.
"It would remove it as a potential redevelopment for traditional housing, but it could be another form of housing for people who are in the category suffering from mental health and addictions," said Dilkens.
Dilkens reiterated that this idea is in the early planning stages and nothing has been finalized.
