Midhurst/December 22, 2022 – The County of Simcoe is pleased to announce that the temporary homeless shelter, located at 20 Rose Street in Barrie, will open tomorrow night (Friday, December 23). The City has issued the final occupancy permit to the County, and the County is working with the Busby Centre, which will operate shelter services, to begin sheltering residents. The County has also arranged for on-site security during operating hours when the shelter opens and periodic site checks during non-operating hours.
“We know the past two years have been extremely difficult for many residents,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “That is why the County and our partners have stepped up to provide more supports and shelter space throughout our entire region than ever before. This is a serious issue, and while it is important that this temporary solution is in place, Council and staff are committed to identifying effective and prudent long-term solutions.”
“The temporary and short-term shelter program will support increased access to basic need sheltering during the coldest months of the year for people who are affected daily by the homelessness and housing crisis that is happening across our city, province and country,” said Sara Peddle, Executive Director of the Busby Centre. “Our amazing team of staff and volunteers, as well as partners at the County and City, look forward to working with the community to have the doors open to provide this important service to our unhoused residents during the harsh winter nights ahead.”
For those experiencing homelessness, if you are looking for shelter beds or assistance, visit simcoe.ca/findshelter or call 2-1-1. As always, the County of Simcoe will continue to work on behalf of vulnerable residents to ensure safe and warm places to stay, including warming centre locations across the region for nights when temperatures fall below -15 degrees Celsius. Day services are available at the home location of the Busby Centre at 88 Mulcaster Street and the community meals program is available at the Salvation Army Bayside Mission Centre at 16 Bayfield Street. For current information, the County will continue to communicate updates and we ask residents to watch our website for the most recent updates.
This temporary initiative is funded by the County of Simcoe with a contribution from the City of Barrie. In the future, this site will be used for an affordable housing development which, pending necessary approvals, will begin in 2024. For details on the Rose Street project, visit simcoe.ca/RoseStreet.
If residents have questions about the temporary shelter, please reach out to the County of Simcoe Community Services department at (705) 722-3132, extension 1470.
About the Simcoe County Shelter System
The County of Simcoe provides leadership to the local system of homelessness prevention services and supports and administers provincial and federal funding to community service providers across the region.
While the shelter system is publicly funded through the County, local shelters are not operated by the public sector. Private and not-for-profit shelters in Simcoe County include:
- Elizabeth Fry Society, serving women and gender diverse individuals – Barrie
- La Maison Rosewood Shelter, serving women and children – Midland
- Salvation Army Bayside Mission, serving men – Barrie
- S.H.I.F.T. – Alliston (temporary winter sheltering)
- The Busby Centre – Barrie
- The Busby Centre – Collingwood (temporary winter sheltering)
- The Guesthouse – Midland
- The Lighthouse – Orillia
- Youth Haven, serving youth ages 16 to 24 years old – Barrie
For more information on the County’s homelessness prevention strategy, visit simcoe.ca/findshelter.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
- 30 –
Media Contacts:
Collin Matanowitsch
Public Relations Manager
705.734.8386
collin.matanowitsch@simcoe.ca
Andrea Walasek
Public Relations Consultant
249-535-3511 (mobile)
Andrea.Walasek@simcoe.ca