The Downtown Mission in Windsor has agreed to close its temporary shelter at the former library building on Ouellette Avenue as of 5 p.m. Thursday.
Executive Director Reverend Ron Dunn says he opened the shelter after several people were turned away from the temporary shelter at the Windsor International Training and Aquatic Centre.
Since then, the mission has been working with public health and City of Windsor officials to try to make sure everyone experiencing homelessness has a place to go.
“With the attention that has been focused on the absence of providing real-time emergency shelter services, as well as the improvement and increased capacity at the Aquatic Centre and Salvation Army, we feel confident decommissioning the temporary shelter at 850 Ouellette Avenue,” Dunn said.
The Downtown Mission will continue to have two staff members at the Ouellette building to direct people to the temporary shelters.
The Downtown Mission’s primary shelter has been closed since last month because of an outbreak of COVID-19. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed ordered the closure of the site and prohibited new intakes until the outbreak is resolved.
Since opening the temporary shelter, five people tested positive for COVID-19 during rapid testing. They are now isolating at the city's isolation and recovery centre.
The mission is hoping to have all necessary protocols in place to be able to open its shelters by the end of the month.
“We want to reopen as soon and as safely as possible. Our guests are looking forward to returning to more familiar surroundings and the programs that they need for support,” Dunn said.
