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Skip Navigation LinksSimcoe County > Find Shelter

Homelessness System

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​For information on the Shelter System, Winter Sheltering and Warming Centres, click here.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The County of Simcoe has recently introduced new dashboards to support its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy and further assist people in need in our communities. For access to real-time shelter usage data that reflect the ever-changing needs of our homelessness prevention system, visit open.simcoe.ca​.



​The County of Simcoe's 10-point homelessness prevention strategy creates a strong, data-driven strategy to help the most vulnerable in our communities through initiatives that have been proven effective in other regions. Infosheet - homelessness 10 point plan.jpgThis strategy makes affordable housing even more attainable by increasing supply, creating “deep rent subsidies", increasing eviction prevention services, and improving available shelter. It commits the County to find new opportunities, enhance community shelter services, and improve safety throughout the community.

The goals use proven methods that create a safer community for all, with the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness at the forefront. They take a collaborative approach to build up communities, understanding the important relationship that is established when working together with all levels of government, service providers, the business community, and residents from all walks of life.​

This is just one more way that the County is #BuildingUp our communities. For updates on the how the County of Simcoe is investing in our communities, visit simcoe.ca/BuildingUp.​​


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Availa​ble Services​​

Should you have any questions regarding homelessness supports and services in Simcoe County, please contact the Community Services department at communityservicesdepartment@simcoe.ca​ or 705-722-3132, ext. 1470. ​


 

Shelter System

Local shelters and service providers deliver and manage homelessness prevention services and operations. While the shelter system is publically funded, local shelters are not directly operated by the County of Simcoe. Emergency homeless shelters in Simcoe County include: 

  • Elizabeth Fry Society, serving women and gender diverse – Barrie 
  • La Maison Rosewood Shelter, serving women and children – Midland
  • Salvation Army Bayside Mission, serving men – Barrie
  • S.H.I.F.T. – Alliston
  • The Busby Centre – Barrie
  • The Busby Centre – Collingwood
  • The Guesthouse – Midland
  • The Lighthouse – Orillia
  • Youth Haven, serving youth ages 16 to 24 years old – Barrie  

For detailed information on Barrie-area shelters, please see the following documents:

​To access a shelter program, contact 211 for assistance or contact the shelter in your local community directly.​​​


Street Outreach

Enhanced street outreach services provide outreach to those experiencing homelessness 365 days a year, seven days a week, with increased emphasis during extreme winter temperatures. Outreach teams offer a range of services to those who are vulnerable and who may not otherwise access shelters.  Outreach teams facilitate access to shelter or respite beds in addition to offering individualized supports to help with accessing a range of services such as inc​ome supports, mental health and addiction services, health care services and assisting individuals to develop plans to transition from to more permanent housing options. 


​Latest Housing News​

March 4, 2024: County and City expanding rapid re-housing support in Orillia

​February 13, 2024: County of Simcoe expands open data portal

January 8, 2024: County of Simcoe enacts enhanced warming and alternate spaces strategy in response to inclement weather

December 19, 2023: County of Simcoe reminds residents that warming centres are open during the coldest months of the year

December 15, 2023: County of Simcoe launches new user-friendly tool to access local census data

November 22, 2023: County raises awareness on National Housing Day​​​

October 13, 2023: County unveils innovative data tool as part of its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy

October 10, 2023:County presents homelessness winter response plan

August 17, 2023: County and Empower Simcoe partnering to build up lives of vulnerable residents

​August 9, 2023: County Council expands plan to create new affordable rentals in the City of Barrie

July 26, 2023: County reminds residents that Social and Community Services offices remain open for critical cooling during extreme heat

July 26, 2023: County of Simcoe and Bradford West Gwillimbury announce summer 2023 pedestrian and vehicular impacts for new affordable housing build

​July 20, 2023: County of Simcoe and City of Barrie announce cooling services for unhoused residents

​June 27, 2023: County releases 2022 report card on 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy

June 6, 2023: County releases homelessness prevention strategy

​May 18, 2023: County creates temporary supportive housing for 24 individuals in need​ 

May 17, 2023: County of Simcoe 2023 Age-Friendly Seniors Housing Grant Program

May 3, 2023: County requests public input into the future of housing across the region

May 2, 2023: County of Simcoe and Bradford West Gwillimbury announce upcoming pedestrian and vehicular impacts for new affordable housing build

April 26, 2023: County Council endorses plan to create 176 new affordable rentals in the City of Barrie

March 30, 2023: County of Simcoe surpasses 10-year housing targets

March 23, 2023: County to celebrate significant housing milestone achievement

March 21, 2023: Temporary Winter Shelter on Rose Street remaining open in Barrie until April 30

February 28, 2023: County launches 2023 Age-Friendly Seniors Housing Grant Program

January 23, 2023: County of Simcoe and Bradford West Gwillimbury announce upcoming site work and impacts for new affordable housing build

January 14, 2023: County provides further update on Huronia Guest Home

January 12, 2023: County provides update on Huronia Guest Home

December 22, 2022: Temporary shelter set to open in Barrie

December 2, 2022: Progress continues on temporary shelter in Barrie

November 10, 2022: County of Simcoe begins preliminary work for new affordable housing in Bradford West Gwillimbury

​November 10, 2022: Warming shelters available throughout the region this winter

October 17, 2022: County provides update on temporary shelter

October 5, 2022: Statement: County on track to increase temporary shelter spaces in the City of Barrie

July 29, 2022: County and area partners continue to address area homelessness needs

July 5, 2022: County of Simcoe to begin site work for new affordable housing in Bradford West Gwillimbury

June 29, 2022: County releases annual report card on 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy

June 28, 2022: County Council commits additional funding to shelter system

June 23, 2022: Popular secondary suites program creates affordable rentals across the region

March 31, 2022: County opens 2022 Age-Friendly Seniors Housing Grant Program

January 17, 2022: Simcoe County to participate in provincial Point-in-Time Homelessness Count​​

January 14, 2022: Homelessness prevention services and related supports in the City of Barrie

November 26, 2021: County of Simcoe hosts public information sessions on Affordable Housing Development in Bradford West Gwillimbury

​November 15, 2021: County of Simcoe breaks ground on County Orillia Campus Project

For previous news releases, click here​​​