Windsor Mayor Dilkens defends city funding amid shelter’s $192K plea

Windsor’s Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

A terse response from Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens Wednesday after a local shelter spoke to the media about an apparent need for more funding from the city.

As CTV News reported Tuesday, the Welcome Center shelter for women and families says they asked City Hall for $192,000 a year to help make up an apparent shortfall from what the province grants them.

The city said all such funding had already been allocated for the current fiscal year.

The Welcome Center said without the money, they’ve had to cut back on services, saying clients are suffering as a result.

Mayor’s Statement Regarding the Welcome Centre Shelter For Women & Families

“2026 is an election year. Funny things happen in election years. Yesterday was one of those instances. The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women & Families went public with their request for more funding from the City of Windsor to support expansion of services. They had already made this request to the City and were informed, “All current municipal, provincial, and federal funding sources—including annual allocations, prior-year surpluses, and reserves—have already been committed to other services for the April 2026 to March 2027 fiscal year.”

Here are the facts:

• The City of Windsor purchased the former hotel property used by the Welcome Centre for $8 million in 2021. The City of Windsor invested $1.6 million to renovate the property for use as a shelter.
• As a result of these investments, the Welcome Centre was able to expand their service from 12 beds to 32 beds for women AND 21 rooms for families.
• The City of Windsor allocates $1.6 million homelessness dollars to the Welcome Centre annually to help fund operations. In addition, the City covers the Welcome Centre’s building utility and maintenance costs at an amount of approximately $260,000 annually.
• Late last year, the City suggested the Welcome Centre convert two under-utilized family rooms to eight beds for women to better align with the community needs during the winter months. At that time, the Welcome Centre agreed to this change without additional operating funding, but did request that the City cover the cost of $7,000 to purchase the necessary beds. The Welcome Centre indicated they could absorb the operating costs within their existing budget.
• Just this month, the Welcome Centre asked for funding to support 12 new beds for single women at a cost of $192,000. They were informed that no money remains for this fiscal year to support that expansion but that if additional money is received from upper levels of government, the City would consider their request at that time.
• In late 2025, the Welcome Centre asked City Administration for an additional $160,000 as they projected a budget shortfall in 2026. Following approval of the 2026 budget, the Welcome Centre was advised their budget was being maintained for the 2026-2027 budget year. They then publicized a request for funding of 12 additional beds, which they previously agreed to absorb.
• The City allocates funding for a total of 197 shelter beds across the region, plus an additional 135 overnight drop in spaces. This is in addition to a number of other services, including supportive housing, homelessness outreach, trusteeship, Housing First social workers, Indigenous supports, monthly rent supplements, emergency rent assistance, and more that the City allocates to address community need.
• The City monitors shelter space on a daily basis. This month, shelter space is running at about 89% occupancy. This means approximately 21 beds remain open every night IN ADDITION to the 24/7 drop-in space provided at H4 and the Downtown Mission.
• City Administration have been and continue to work closely with all service providers on how best to maximize available budget dollars to meet community needs.

I appreciate the service provided by all shelter operators. We are all working in a complex environment and dealing with some severe cases of mental health and addiction. Your work is important and valued, which is reflected through the City’s ongoing support. In the specific case of the Welcome Centre – City Council is your ally, and it is disappointing to be publicly criticized for not filling your funding shortfall, even as we remain one of your strongest advocates, partners and funders.”