Councillor laments city's 'seismic decision' jeopardizing federal housing funding

Windsor city council's "seismic decision" regarding the federal Housing Accelerator Fund was not given the time and thought that it deserved, says Ward 2 councillor and public housing chair Fabio Costante.

"This is a very, very important decision of council, and I do take issue with how it came to us, procedurally," Costante told CBC Windsor on Thursday.

"If this is indeed 'it' — it is disappointing, and we've missed a big opportunity."

As of Thursday night, there is no new report about the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) on council's next agenda.

However, a Friday news conference scheduled by the city to discuss HAF was cancelled at the last minute.

"Our intent was to provide an update on the city's application ... at this time, discussions are ongoing with the federal minister of housing," the municipality's communication department said. 

"The city remains steadfast in a commitment to ensure any outcome respects the needs of Windsor residents."

One of the federal government's conditions to access the HAF is that zoning bylaws be amended to allow four-plex residences anywhere in the city.

Council voted 8-2 not to do so — jeopardizing $40 million to $70 million in federal support.

Mayor Drew Dilkens argued against the zoning amendment.

Costante — who chairs the Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation — said he doesn't know what's been discussed between the mayor, city administration, and federal representatives.

But Costante said he's very familiar with the housing crisis in Windsor. "I have the largest concentration of social housing in the city, in my ward. I have a lot more tenants than I do homeowners in my ward. Ward 2 is Ground Zero for precarious housing and access to affordable housing."

Costante was unable to attend the Dec. 13 meeting due to professional responsibilities. "We were notified of that emergency meeting within 48 hours of the meeting itself. The report was not received until about five to 10 minutes the meeting," Costante said.

Meanwhile, Ward 9 councillor Kieran McKenzie hasn't been holding out hope there will be a reversal.

"Right now, the chances are very slim that the issue would be able to come back to council with a clean shot," McKenzie told CBC Windsor on Thursday.

McKenzie and Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino were the only two council members to vote in favour of the zoning amendment.

After the meeting, McKenzie issued a public statement arguing for formal reconsideration of the vote.

But for that to happen, administration would need to agree that there is sufficient new information to warrant a new report. Or there would need to be a motion to reconsider from a council member who voted on the prevailing side previously, with two-thirds of council agreeing.

"That's a fairly high bar," McKenzie admitted.

Despite McKenzie's criticisms of the procedure behind the Dec. 13 council meeting, he said he doesn't blame city administration. "With the utmost respect to the federal government... they put us in a really bad position. They put us in a very tight timeline that forced us into a decision," McKenzie said.

"I think we've missed a significant opportunity. And we're just about to enter into our budget discussion around the council table."