The lack of numbers and timelines for the influx of Syrian refugees continues to be one of the main challenges for service providers in the Windsor community.
When stakeholders from multiple sectors met today many voiced concerns about the availability of language, health and housing services for the number of people potentially entering the community.
"The housing challenge is with regards to the availability of larger units. Anything that three, four and five bedrooms we are struggling with, "says Kelly Goz with the City of Windsor's housing department.
Goz says they are looking to landlords and private investors to call 311 so they can continue to build an inventory of available affordable housing. She says currently they have an inventory of 240 units but the majority of the units are bachelor or one-bedroom apartments.
The Multicultural Council says its important for all of these stakeholders to come together so they can develop plans for any situation whether they get 200 or 600 refugees in the community.
"Depending on the situation if there's a large number coming at once and there's an influx then we have a plan to work with and mobilize the community. So we'll be working with all of our settlement agencies and all of our housing providers in the city and we'll work with the community at large," says Kathleen Thomas, executive director of the Multicultural Council
Residents who have household goods or other offers of assistance can also give their names at 311. This will give stakeholders a database to work from when the need arises.
Windsor has already welcomed 62 privately-sponsored Syrian refugees.
