IRIS House calls for Windsor’s proposed budget to lift freeze on city subsidy

IRIS House on Jan. 30, 2024. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

Management of a supportive living facility in Windsor is urging city council to increase its subsidy, saying the current funding no longer covers the rising costs of housing and caring for individuals with mental health challenges.

Monday’s Windsor city council meeting was the first opportunity for residents to address councillors directly about the city’s proposed 2025 budget, which includes a 2.99 per cent tax levy increase.

Karen Souilliere, board chair for IRIS House, said the budget maintains a funding freeze, in place since April 2023, which keeps the subsidy at $60 per day.

“We actually spent $69 per day last year, ending March 2024, and we’re now spending $73.37 per day due to increases to food, utilities, cleaning and maintenance supplies, and service repairs,” she said.

Souilliere also noted that while increases to Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) payments were intended to offset inflation, residents of IRIS House have not benefited.

“The gap between operating costs of our home and our city funding rate is growing,” she said.

Anne Ryan, executive director of IRIS House, outlined the operational and staffing challenges caused by the current subsidy.

“Inflation and minimum wage pressures make it hard to attract capable and competent staff. It’s in the low $17 range right now, and we’re starting at $18,” Ryan said. “We want to attract good, capable, and competent staff. The low wage rate puts that at risk.”

Ryan also pointed to the broader consequences of the funding gap, suggesting it increases costs in other areas.

“We are a proven, evidence-based program that reduces police, fire, and ambulance costs,” she said. “The city has always had the view that the subsidies had to be restricted and, I think, that has made the policing, ambulance, and fire costs go up.”

IRIS House operates one location on Ouellette Avenue. The facility, which opened in 2003, houses 67 residents.

“I always thought that we’d have two or three homes by now,” said Ryan. “It’s just never worked out.”