NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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The County of Simcoe works with area homeless shelters to keep people warm, safe and connected to services.
The county administers federal, provincial and municipal funding and directs it to the local system of homelessness prevention supports and services.
There is space available for those who are seeking shelter or to come in from the cold within the City of Barrie and in communities across Simcoe County. Shelter beds have increased by close to 70 per cent to 327 beds across the region as a direct response to the needs of vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
In partnership with the Busby Centre, the county is pleased to announce that overnight services recently reopened at 88 Mulcaster St., in Barrie. Daytime drop-in services and overnight respite beds at this location provide additional choices for individuals opting not to access shelter programs.
Drop-in programs and overnight respite warming programs do not require individuals to enter the shelter program.
The county also supports vital community street outreach initiatives and programs to reach people in need. Street outreach services, amplified in response to the pandemic, connect individuals with resources including shelter and encourage people staying outdoors to come indoors. Shelters offer the opportunity for individuals to connect with individualized supports and offer access to a range of resources.
The county, in partnership with funded service providers, continues to quickly respond to the needs of homeless residents.
The City of Barrie offers a warming centre at the Barrie bus terminal on nights that Environment Canada predicts temperatures will fall below minus-20 Celsius for at least two hours. In addition, community-based initiatives to establish warming centres provide important contributions to expand available warming options for homeless individuals in each local community.
Shelter beds and options for individuals to come in from the cold are available. For residents seeking temporary indoor warmth, shelter or support resources, please visit simcoe.ca/findshelter.
For a full list of area shelters and support resources or for access to shelter services in the City of Barrie, contact the Barrie Shelter Access Intake Line at 705-828-3795.
About the Simcoe County Shelter System
The County’s role in leading, managing and funding homelessness prevention services and related supports involves strategic partnerships with local agencies broader community stakeholders and enables responsiveness to the unique needs of local communities.
Homeless Shelters in Simcoe County include:
- Busby Centre – Barrie and Collingwood
- The Salvation Army (Bayside Mission) – Barrie
- Youth Haven – Barrie
- Elizabeth Fry Society – Barrie
- The Lighthouse – Orillia
- The Guesthouse – Midland
For more information on the county’s homelessness prevention strategy, visit simcoe.ca/findshelter.
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