The following is a statement issued by Warden George Cornell
Midhurst/October 5, 2022 – The County is pleased to confirm that the work to acquire a temporary shelter is nearing completion. Our supplier has confirmed their ability to deliver and prepare the shelter for occupancy by November 15, pending inspections of units and receipt of municipal approvals. The County also continues to work with our partners at the City of Barrie on by-law requirements and details related to utility connections.
The temporary shelter will provide an additional 50 shelter beds for the city and surrounding communities (currently there are 152 shelter beds in the City of Barrie). With colder temperatures yet to arrive, approximately 30 per cent of shelter spaces in the city remain open each night. For those affected by homelessness, please know that there is space available for you.
I can’t thank our County staff and our partners at the City of Barrie enough for their commitment and passion to move this project forward and help our vulnerable residents. Homelessness and housing affordability impact the entire region, and projects such as this temporary shelter initiative, warming centres and affordable housing developments occurring across Simcoe County are only possible when our communities work together to pool resources, ideas and funding.
We will continue to work for all of our residents to ensure safe and warm places to stay.
~ County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell
CONTACTS
Andrea Walasek
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
249-535-3511 (mobile)
Andrea.Walasek@simcoe.ca
Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca