36 individuals provided accommodations through outreach efforts
Midhurst/September 12, 2025 – The County has provided the following update to the community on efforts to relocate individuals from Mulcaster encampment in Barrie.
Outreach and HART of Simcoe County teams have engaged with 44individuals at the site. Of those:
- 36 individuals have been successfully supported with accommodation options and have since relocated to the spaces. The County and its partners were able to offer these spaces by moving appropriate shelter participants to other housing and shelter programs where possible.
- As of the end of day on September 11, eight individuals from the Mulcaster encampment have declined appropriate offers for shelter spaces and chose to move out of the encampment enforcement area.
- We rely on a holistic system of services and options which are offered to individuals based on their individual needs. Permanent housing options remain the County’s long-term goal for all individuals.
- For those that did not choose to accept an available space, County outreach teams will continue to engage with them daily (7 days/week) with the hope they will accept offers of accommodation, supports and services tailored specifically for each individual.
- The County’s 24-hour triage centre at 113 Tiffin Street remains open with increased staffing and support for individuals. While this is a 24-hour centre, the County is not permitted to provide sleeping arrangements (i.e. cots) in this location due to local by-law restrictions.
- Individuals engaged have been offered:
- Access to housing/shelter
- Homelessness outreach service
- Wellness checks
- Connection to services including the HART of Simcoe County navigators
- Temporary storage of personal belongings
- Transportation between the sites from the City of Barrie
- Food, clothing and personal care products
For those facing mental health or addiction challenges (which is not all people living in these situations), maintaining access to longer-term housing often depends on the foundation of receiving supportive housing and shelter system services first. Without these essential supports, responses risk being short-term and ineffective—offering only temporary, band-aid solutions rather than permanent outcomes.
In response to growing concerns around homelessness and the upcoming colder season, the County is intensifying its efforts to provide safe and supportive housing options. This builds on the foundation laid by the County’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Plan, launched in 2024, which has made meaningful progress in connecting individuals to shelter, transitional housing, and permanent accommodations.
Continued expanded capacity – October 2025
To bolster enforcement around encampments and ensure readiness for the colder months, the County has secured 161 additional spaces across its housing system, including:
- 69 hotel rooms across three locations, to accommodate families and/or those with pets
- 20 supportive beds in a seniors’ retirement facility
- 20 leased apartments for long-term supportive housing programs
- 52 beds in two modular units offering overnight shelter with on-site staffing
Winter investment by the County
Earlier this year, the County began investing in additional infrastructure to meet urgent needs ahead of the 2025/26 winter season. In addition to expanding warming centre access and outreach services, two new modular housing projects are planned for Barrie, pending permit approvals:
- 40-bed modular facility at Tiffin Street, pending permit approvals
- 16-bed modular unit currently in procurement, contingent on land and permit approvals
These new modulars will complement the existing ones located on Blake Street, which are currently serving Youth Haven during renovations and the HART of Simcoe County’s transitional housing program.
The County is actively working with city partners to expedite approvals and ensure these additional housing options are available prior to the arrival of winter. With a clear commitment to both immediate relief and long-term solutions, the County remains ready to expedite its winter strategy in alignment with the mayor’s directive.