FAQs

The building will be converted into emergency, transitional, supportive, and permanent housing to support diverse needs of those most at risk in our community.

Phase 1 will include spaces to accommodate up to approximately 50 people for emergency sheltering. Priority will be for families, couples, women and vulnerable individuals who cannot access spaces at current emergency shelter providers.

Phase 2 development will see transitional and supportive housing units brought online. Staff are estimating at least 30 units of the current building can be redeveloped.

Phase 3 development will have new affordable housing constructed on currently vacant land on the property. Staff are estimating that development will provide anywhere from 72 to 144 additional units of affordable housing.

Emergency shelters are facilities providing temporary, short-term accommodation for individuals and families experiencing homelessness who cannot be diverted to safe, appropriate accommodations. Best practices call for emergency shelter stays to be as short as possible, ideally less than one week.

Transitional housing provides temporary accommodations for up to two years, with support services offered to clients. Transitional housing is an intermediate step between emergency shelter and permanent housing. Support services help clients gain stability and self-sufficiency to maintain permanent housing.

Supportive housing - is a permanent housing designed for people who need both a stable place to live and access to support services. It combines affordable housing with on-site or community-based supports to help residents maintain their housing and improve their quality of life. Integrated support services can include case management, mental health counseling, addiction recovery programs, life skills training, and employment assistance. The goal in supportive housing is to promote independence, stability, and community integration while reducing reliance on emergency services or institutional care.

Permanent housing in the housing continuum is a long-term, stable housing option that can include subsidized rental units, cooperative housing, or even market-rate apartments. It is the final goal for many and often preceded by emergency or transitional housing, and it may be offered with supportive services to help residents maintain housing stability over time.

Staff aim to have the emergency shelter portion of Fox Ridge Community operational on or around October 1, 2026. The entire project will be completed in three phases with a targeted completion date of the end of 2030.

It began on October 30, 2025, with a targeted completion date of October 1, 2026. This Phase provides emergency housing for immediate, short-term needs that will fill existing gaps in the system and prioritize families, women, couples and vulnerable individuals.

The emergency shelter portion of Fox Ridge operational on or around October 1, 2026.

The Fox Ridge Community property has had security operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since October 30, 2025, and will be enhanced as more residents move in.

Yes, the property has partial occupancy by Six Nations of the Grand River Long Term Care who will begin moving residents in as of January 1, 2026.