Windsor West MPP blasts province for denying city homelessness funding request

Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky is blasting the provincial Liberal government for leaving the city out in the cold when it doled out $200-million in funding meant to tackle homelessness. 

"It shows that this government has a complete disregard for the dire situation in Windsor," said Gretzky, the NDP critic for homelessness. 

• Windsor-Essex shelters desperate to expand left out of $200M in provincial cash

• Windsor's homeless population reaches 'crisis' levels, says aid agency

Staff at the Street Help Homeless Centre in Windsor say homelessness has reached "crisis" levels locally and they, along with the Welcome Centre for Women, are attempting to expand to meet surging demand. 

Ontario is aiming to eliminate chronic homelessness by 2025, and has handed out money to 21 communities. Windsor-Essex was one of 47 communities that applied, but was denied while Toronto received $90 million — nearly half of the available cash.

"It's pretty cynical when you see a government whose largest vote base is in Toronto and that is where they are throwing the largest portion of the money," said Gretzky.

She added that she was "highly disappointed" the government had "no interest" in helping those who desperately need it. 

A spokesperson for the government explained the funding decisions earlier this week stating, "a select number of applications who demonstrated the most effective, ambitious and comprehensive plans" were selected.

City of Windsor officials received an explanation for their rejected bid during a conference call Thursday afternoon.

Ministry staff said Windsor's proposal was "very good," but that not every municipality that applied could receive help.

City staff were told there is potential for more funding to combat homeless in the future, but there are no guarantees Windsor will see any of it.