As urban areas continue to expand, sustainable and affordable housing remains a critical challenge for municipalities across Ontario.
A new three-year partnership between the Municipality of Lakeshore and the University of Windsor's Centre for Cities (C4C) at Windsor Law is aiming to make future growth more equitable and accessible through a project called Horizons.
The initiative supports Lakeshore's commitments under the $7-million Lakeshore Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), part of Canada's National Housing Strategy.
"We are putting the municipality in the role of the developer in terms of saying here is how they want to grow and then putting the tools in place to make that happen," says Anneke Smit, law professor and director of C4C.
"We're doing that in a way that brings Lakeshore's communities along and helps residents feel that their voices are being heard."
Lakeshore is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the region. Horizons is designed to address the opportunities and challenges that come with rapid expansion, including housing supply and affordability, infrastructure investment, environmental sustainability and quality of life.
C4C Housing Lab member Dorian Moore, professor in the School of Creative Arts, says the project reflects the University's interdisciplinary approach and commitment to community engagement.
"The Horizons team embodies the spirit of collaboration that is a critical component of the University's focus," says Moore.
"The interdisciplinary team is composed of faculty, students and researchers, from a number of different disciplines including the School of Creative Arts' Visual Arts and Built Environment program (VABE), the Faculty of Law, and Environmental Science.
"We are all actively involved in community engagement, which is another important part of the University's responsibility to the Windsor-Essex region."
The Horizons team includes several UWindsor alumni from both C4C and the Municipality of Lakeshore, including Mayor Tracey Bailey, Councillor Ryan McNamara, CAO Tyson Cragg and C4C's Kaitlyn DiPietro, Safa Youness and Ali Mokdad.
Members of the Horizons team at a public engagement session [Photo courtesy of the Horizons team]
Public engagement sessions held in June 2025 featured interactive discussions on creating vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods, balancing economic development with environmental stewardship, and protecting farmland and natural spaces.
Initial findings from those sessions were presented to Lakeshore council on Aug. 12.
Council received and provided direction on several key initiatives tied to the HAF grant, including a community improvement plan, reducing planning and permit costs, accelerating housing approvals, improving accessibility and aesthetics, and approving a 2025 affordable housing strategy.
"Lakeshore's leadership on housing is bold and ambitious," says Dr. Smit. "The steps taken at Council are important ones and align with what we heard from the community growth that is fiscally responsible, environmentally sensitive, and supportive of residents' quality of life, while providing housing options for all."
Mayor Bailey echoed this community-driven vision with a clear commitment to action.
"Housing is one of our top priorities, and we are thrilled to see these critical initiatives move forward," Bailey said at the Aug. 12 council meeting.
"Each element is part of our broader strategy to create a Comprehensive Development System that increases housing opportunities and helps us build the future of Lakeshore that aligns with the vision of the residents of our communities."
Additional public engagement opportunities are planned as Horizons continues to support future municipal development.
Residents can sign up for updates at Lakeshore Horizons online.
