Housing Solutions Made for Windsor

Photo collage of 4 photos with a couple moving, a construction worker, a high rise building, and a woman hanging a photo

Investing in Housing for Windsor's Growing Community

In 2023, the City of Windsor began a process to review municipal lands throughout the community that could support developments aimed at addressing the housing crisis in Canada. That review identified several properties with significant and immediate potential for development covering all types of housing needs, including affordable housing and missing middle housing. On March 1, 2024, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announced that members of City Council and members of City Administration have identified a list of municipal lands owned by the City of Windsor that are available for development.

Municipal Lands Ready for Residential Development

Sites with Open Expression of Interests

Visit Let's Talk Windsor Project Page

Sites with Closed Expression of Interests

Visit Let's Talk Windsor Project Page

Sites with Expressions of Interests Coming Soon (Map of Location Provided)

Expressions of Interest

Developers, seize this opportunity! We encourage you to download the Expression of Interest (EOI) package directly from Biddingo when they become available. Ensure you're ahead in accessing municipal properties open for development by signing up to stay informed and receive email updates. Join us in shaping the future with your innovative projects.

Choose Windsor

“Windsor was the top city … as having the brightest economic indicators of all two-dozen communities studied.” – Conference Board of Canada, 2023

Development Support

Municipal Support: In alignment with its economic development strategy aimed at guiding Windsor's growth, the city extends comprehensive support to land development projects. This includes navigating the development approval process, offering development charges grant programs, and providing municipal services and resources. Emphasizing community engagement, Windsor fosters a beneficial relationship between developers and the community, ensuring projects are met with support and understanding.
Streamlined Approval Process: Recognizing the importance of efficiency in development, Windsor has streamlined its approval processes to minimize delays and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. This approach ensures that developers can move forward with their projects in a timely manner, with the full support of municipal departments working in concert to facilitate success.
Dedicated Development Application Coordinator: To streamline and personalize the development process, Windsor assigns a Development Application Coordinator to each project. This coordinator acts as the primary point of contact for developers, offering tailored guidance, facilitating communications across departments, and ensuring timely progress on the file. This role is crucial in demystifying the approval process, coordinating necessary approvals, and offering a single, knowledgeable point of reference throughout the project lifecycle.
Incentive Programs: Windsor's commitment to supporting residential development is further exemplified through its incentive programs, carefully designed to encourage development and revitalization. These programs include tax increment-based grants for brownfield development, reductions, or waivers for development charges in targeted areas, and financial assistance for heritage property restoration, among others. These incentives are designed to make Windsor an attractive and cost-effective location for new residential projects.

Skilled Workforce

Local Labour Market: Windsor has a network of architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals with experience in development projects, providing access to expertise and resources that can support development efforts. Many opportunities exist given the local labour market conditions.
Skilled Trades Availability: Windsor has a strong base of skilled trades workers, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and others, essential for construction projects. Workforce WindsorEssex is also actively engaged in promoting the trades locally.
Employment and Training Services: is an Employment Ontario service provider that provides employment services and one-on-one assessments to those unemployed and under-employed.
Construction Management Expertise: The city has a construction association with several management firms and professionals with experience in overseeing large-scale projects, providing valuable expertise to developers.
Education and Training: The city is home to several major research facilities and institutes of higher education, in particular the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, Collège Borèal, triOS College, Anderson College, and the Canadian College of Health, Science and Technology, as well as many facilities and programs that enable career based training.
Diverse Workforce: Windsor's workforce is diverse, with people from various backgrounds and skill sets, offering a range of perspectives and expertise that can be beneficial for construction projects requiring innovative solutions.

Economic Outlook

Infrastructure Investment: The city and province are investing in local infrastructure projects, such as the $5-billion, 4.3 million square foot battery manufacturing plant, NextStar Energy, the $5.7-billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, the $2-billion new, modern, state-of-the-art Windsor-Essex Hospitals System, and more.
Diverse Economy: Windsor has a diverse range of industries including automotive, manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. This can provide a stable foundation for long-term investment in construction projects.
Population Growth: Data from Canada’s 2021 Census indicates that Windsor’s population grew by 5.7 per cent between 2016 and 2021 from 217,188 to 229,660. This makes it the 14th largest metropolitan area in Canada.
Proximity to the United States: Windsor's hosts four Canada-U.S. surface crossings including Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Detroit River Rail Tunnel, and the Port of Windsor. We also have a fifth crossing, the Gordie Howe International Bridge set to be completed in 2025. The Windsor-Detroit crossing is the busiest commercial border crossing between Canada and the U.S., handling approximately one-third of all trade between the two countries.
Tourism: Windsor, Essex, and Pelee Island are home to a vibrant arts and cultural community, with many outdoor adventures and entertainment experiences for area residents and visitors. The city is committed to being a creative and vibrant destination that encourages artistic expression and celebrates our cultural identity and diversity.
Quality of Life: The city enjoys the warmest climate in all of Ontario combined with many sports, recreation, education, shopping, and dining experiences. All these options along with affordable housing rates when compared to other cities in Ontario. Are you ready to move here? Welcome to Windsor-Essex can help.

Investing in Housing for Windsor's Growing Community

Municipal Lands Ready for Residential Development

Sites with Open Expression of Interests

Visit Let's Talk Windsor Project Page

Sites with Closed Expression of Interests

Visit Let's Talk Windsor Project Page

Sites with Expressions of Interests Coming Soon (Map of Location Provided)

Expressions of Interest

Choose Windsor

“Windsor was the top city … as having the brightest economic indicators of all two-dozen communities studied.” – Conference Board of Canada, 2023

Development Support

Municipal Support: In alignment with its economic development strategy aimed at guiding Windsor's growth, the city extends comprehensive support to land development projects. This includes navigating the development approval process, offering development charges grant programs, and providing municipal services and resources. Emphasizing community engagement, Windsor fosters a beneficial relationship between developers and the community, ensuring projects are met with support and understanding.
Streamlined Approval Process: Recognizing the importance of efficiency in development, Windsor has streamlined its approval processes to minimize delays and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. This approach ensures that developers can move forward with their projects in a timely manner, with the full support of municipal departments working in concert to facilitate success.
Dedicated Development Application Coordinator: To streamline and personalize the development process, Windsor assigns a Development Application Coordinator to each project. This coordinator acts as the primary point of contact for developers, offering tailored guidance, facilitating communications across departments, and ensuring timely progress on the file. This role is crucial in demystifying the approval process, coordinating necessary approvals, and offering a single, knowledgeable point of reference throughout the project lifecycle.
Incentive Programs: Windsor's commitment to supporting residential development is further exemplified through its incentive programs, carefully designed to encourage development and revitalization. These programs include tax increment-based grants for brownfield development, reductions, or waivers for development charges in targeted areas, and financial assistance for heritage property restoration, among others. These incentives are designed to make Windsor an attractive and cost-effective location for new residential projects.

Skilled Workforce

Local Labour Market: Windsor has a network of architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals with experience in development projects, providing access to expertise and resources that can support development efforts. Many opportunities exist given the local labour market conditions.
Skilled Trades Availability: Windsor has a strong base of skilled trades workers, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and others, essential for construction projects. Workforce WindsorEssex is also actively engaged in promoting the trades locally.
Employment and Training Services: is an Employment Ontario service provider that provides employment services and one-on-one assessments to those unemployed and under-employed.
Construction Management Expertise: The city has a construction association with several management firms and professionals with experience in overseeing large-scale projects, providing valuable expertise to developers.
Education and Training: The city is home to several major research facilities and institutes of higher education, in particular the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, Collège Borèal, triOS College, Anderson College, and the Canadian College of Health, Science and Technology, as well as many facilities and programs that enable career based training.
Diverse Workforce: Windsor's workforce is diverse, with people from various backgrounds and skill sets, offering a range of perspectives and expertise that can be beneficial for construction projects requiring innovative solutions.

Economic Outlook

Infrastructure Investment: The city and province are investing in local infrastructure projects, such as the $5-billion, 4.3 million square foot battery manufacturing plant, NextStar Energy, the $5.7-billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, the $2-billion new, modern, state-of-the-art Windsor-Essex Hospitals System, and more.
Diverse Economy: Windsor has a diverse range of industries including automotive, manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. This can provide a stable foundation for long-term investment in construction projects.
Population Growth: Data from Canada’s 2021 Census indicates that Windsor’s population grew by 5.7 per cent between 2016 and 2021 from 217,188 to 229,660. This makes it the 14th largest metropolitan area in Canada.
Proximity to the United States: Windsor's hosts four Canada-U.S. surface crossings including Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Detroit River Rail Tunnel, and the Port of Windsor. We also have a fifth crossing, the Gordie Howe International Bridge set to be completed in 2025. The Windsor-Detroit crossing is the busiest commercial border crossing between Canada and the U.S., handling approximately one-third of all trade between the two countries.
Tourism: Windsor, Essex, and Pelee Island are home to a vibrant arts and cultural community, with many outdoor adventures and entertainment experiences for area residents and visitors. The city is committed to being a creative and vibrant destination that encourages artistic expression and celebrates our cultural identity and diversity.
Quality of Life: The city enjoys the warmest climate in all of Ontario combined with many sports, recreation, education, shopping, and dining experiences. All these options along with affordable housing rates when compared to other cities in Ontario. Are you ready to move here? Welcome to Windsor-Essex can help.

December 17 Update to Housing Development - Pelissier Street Parking Lot: Expression of Interest (EOI) 106-24
Please take note that Addendum Number 3 has been added to the Expression of Interest (EOI) No. 106-24 Housing Development - Pelissier Street Parking Lot bid listing on the Biddingo platform. The addendum provides three important updates:
- The closing date has been extended to Tuesday, February 25, 2025 (up to and including 11:30:59 A.M. E.D.T).
- The question deadline has been extended to Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
- The Community Survey Results Report will be sent by Addendum in January 2025.
The addendum amends and forms part of the EOI Documents.
Please go to the bid listing to learn more.
December 2 Update to Housing Development - Pelissier Street Parking Lot: Expression of Interest (EOI) 106-24

Please take note that Addendum Number 2 has been added to the Expression of Interest (EOI) No. 106-24 Housing Development - Pelissier Street Parking Lot bid listing on the Biddingo platform. The addendum indicates that a community survey report will be created and shared as a future and separate addendum through the Biddingo platform to all registered and potential Expression of Interest Respondents. The report will be compiled from the results of the current community survey after the public survey closes. The addendum amends and forms part of the EOI Documents.
Please go to the bid listing to learn more.
November 18 Update to Housing Development – Pelissier Street Parking Lot: Expression of Interest (EOI) 106-24

Please take note that Addendum Number 1 has been added to the Expression of Interest (EOI) No. 106-24 Housing Development – Pelissier Street Parking Lot bid listing on the Biddingo platform. The addendum is the response from the City of Windsor to questions regarding a legal survey for this property. The addendum amends and forms part of the EOI Documents.
Please go to the bid listing to learn more.
City of Windsor Launches Pelissier Street Parking Lot EOI as Next Step in Housing Solutions Made for Windsor

The City of Windsor is launching the Pelissier Street Parking Lot Expression of Interest (EOI) as the next step in the City’s Housing Solutions Made for Windsor strategy. This latest municipal property covers 32,234 square feet (0.74 acres) between Wyandotte Street West and Elliott Street in downtown Windsor. Read the full news release.
Expression of Interest (EOI) No. 55-24 Caron Avenue Parking Lot is Now Closed

The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest to develop the Caron Avenue Parking Lot into residential housing closed on August 23, 2024 (up to and including 11:30:59 A.M. E.D.T). A review of the submitted expression of interest packages will occur by City Administration over the coming weeks.
City of Windsor Implements Vacant Home Tax to Boost Housing Supply

Mayor Drew Dilkens and City Council have officially launched a Vacant Home Tax (VHT) program for the City of Windsor. Complementing the Housing Solutions Made for Windsor plan, this initiative is aimed at increasing housing supply and reducing vacancy rates. This new measure underscores the City’s commitment to ensuring that every available residential space contributes positively to the community's evolving housing needs.
Read the full news release.
Caron Avenue Site EOI Launched, More Lands Identified to Make Ready for “Housing Solutions Made for Windsor”

Mayor Drew Dilkens, along with members of City Council and City administration, launched the Caron Avenue Site Expression of Interest (EOI) today as part of the City of Windsor’s Housing Solutions Made for Windsor strategy. Read the full news release or watch the media event highlights on YouTube.
For more details about the Caron Avenue Parking Lot, please visit the webpage or the expression of interest.
City of Windsor Identifies Municipal Lands to Make Ready for Development as Part of “Housing Solutions Made for Windsor”

In an ongoing effort to increase the supply of housing and meet aggressive housing targets for the community, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, members of City Council, and members of City administration presented a list of municipal lands owned by the City of Windsor that have been identified to make shovel-ready for residential development. Read the full news release.