Council Ratifies Fox Ridge Business Plan, Advancing Brantford’s Housing and Homelessness Strategy

BRANTFORD, ON: At their meeting held last night, Brantford City Council officially ratified the Fox Ridge Business Plan (389 West Street) marking a significant milestone in the City’s multi-year effort to strengthen the local housing and homelessness system. The approved plan sets out a clear, phased roadmap for transforming the former long-term care facility into a fully integrated housing hub that will provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services, and eventually permanent affordable housing options.

The Business Plan outlines a three-phase development approach for the 4.82-acre site. Phase 1 focuses on creating new emergency shelter capacity for families, couples, women, and vulnerable individuals, with renovations targeted for completion by October 1, 2026. Phase 2 will introduce transitional and supportive housing with onsite access to health, social, and stabilization supports. Phase 3 will move into the development of permanent housing, with preliminary designs suggesting the site could support 72 to 144 modular units that align with provincial and federal construction funding priorities.

Council’s ratification authorizes staff to proceed with all recommended service delivery actions in the plan, including implementing a hybrid support model overseen by the City. It also confirms the approved capital investment of $11.47 million for acquisition and Phase 1 renovations, funded through a combination of the Affordable Housing Reserve and the Province’s Building Faster Fund.

Beginning January 1, 2026, a portion of the Fox Ridge building will also be temporarily leased to Six Nations of the Grand River Long Term Care to house approximately 50 elders displaced by the June 2025 flooding that forced the closure of Iroquois Lodge. This temporary placement provides care close to home while allowing the City to continue renovations in the unused wings of the building without disrupting residents.

Mayor Kevin Davis has emphasized that, “this partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to working closely with Six Nations and our regional partners to support residents in meaningful ways. By moving this plan forward, we are taking an important step toward building a more coordinated and compassionate housing system for everyone in our community.”

“The ratification of this Business Plan allows us to move forward with a coordinated and comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness in our community,” says Mary Musson, Commissioner of Community Services and Social Development. “ Fox Ridge gives us the ability to provide safer, more stable, and more appropriate housing pathways while reducing our reliance on temporary, costly measures. This is about building a system that supports people with dignity, strengthens partnerships, and creates long-term solutions.”

Fox Bridge Open House - December 11, 2025

To ensure residents have an opportunity to ask questions of staff and share feedback, the City is pleased to host a neighbourhood drop-in meeting on Thursday, December 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fox Ridge Community, 389 West Street, to share plans for the future of the facility and discuss how this location will provide both temporary and permanent housing for individuals in need of safe and affordable housing. Staff will continue consultations as development progresses, including additional engagement opportunities for residents and community partners.

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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