It is recommended that Essex County Council receive the memo from the Executive Director of Housing and Children’s Services regarding the Rapid Housing Initiative for information, and further;
THAT Essex County Council pre-commit the annual operating budget funding required, currently estimated at $48,000 in each of the post-construction operating years to a maximum of 20 years, to support the Round 2 Rapid Housing Initiative project for The Bridge, detailed in the Executive Director of Housing and Children’s Services memo dated August 6, 2021, subject to refinement of the annual budget estimate as the developments are finalized, and further;
THAT Essex County Council approve, providing a letter of support to the City of Windsor for submission with the application to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the required operating and/or capital funding related to The Bridge project, and further;
THAT Essex County Council approve, entering into an agreement with the City of Windsor for the 20-year operating commitment for the County based on compliance with the Contribution Agreement with CMHC on the Rapid Housing Initiative, and further;
THAT Essex County Council request Windsor City Council to support the commencement of discussions on the development of a Regional Affordable Housing Strategy, including funding responsibilities, and further;
THAT Essex County Council request Windsor City Council to support the commencement of discussions on the review of the 1999 Social Housing Cost Sharing arbitrated agreement, with a view to addressing cost sharing provisions for new regional units and regional housing and homelessness initiatives.