Windsor’s $60 million plan to tackle homelessness could be in trouble before construction even starts.

Mayor-elect Fred Francis is questioning the future of the Village at the Barn, the proposal to transform the old Windsor Arena downtown into housing with on-site support for people experiencing homelessness.

Quick Facts

• What: the Village at the Barn proposal
• Where: the old Windsor Arena (“The Barn”) in downtown Windsor
• The plan: 102 housing units with on-site support services for people experiencing homelessness
• Estimated cost: $55 to $60 million
• Status: not cancelled; a final report is expected in spring 2027

What We Know So Far

The Village at the Barn would convert the old Windsor Arena into 102 private housing units, with support services on site for the people living there.

Mayor-elect Francis says the estimated $55 to $60 million price tag doesn’t make financial sense. He believes that money could be better spent building permanent affordable housing.

Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino is pushing back. He argues downtown needs a solution now, especially with homelessness affecting residents and local businesses.

Why This Matters for Downtown

For downtown property owners, tenants and investors, this is one of the bigger decisions facing the new council.

How the city responds to homelessness, and how quickly, affects how people feel about leasing, buying and investing in the core.

The old Windsor Arena is also one of the most recognizable buildings downtown. Whatever happens to it will have an impact on the surrounding blocks for years to come.

What Happens Next

The project hasn’t been cancelled. A final report is expected in spring 2027.

But with a new mayor coming in, the city could be heading in a very different direction. The debate will likely come down to cost versus speed: building permanent affordable housing over time, or putting a solution in place downtown sooner.

Final Thoughts

There are strong opinions on both sides of this one, and it’s a decision that will matter to everyone who lives, works and does business downtown.

Should Windsor rethink the plan or keep moving forward? Share this with someone following downtown Windsor’s future, and let us know what you think.

Have questions about buying, selling, leasing or investing in commercial real estate in Windsor-Essex? Reach out to the Lalovich Real Estate team. We’d be happy to help.

Based on reporting from AM800 (Rusty Thomson).