"Homelessness is a solvable challenge that we can overcome together."
This is the message Barrie Cares continues to drive home as Phase One of the Campus of Care is nearing the $250,000 fundraising goal.
Located at 113 Tiffin Street, just west of Innisfil Street, a former paramedic building is being turned into a temporary hub with a modular kitchen, dining area, warming space, and urgent-care rooms.
The centre is scheduled to open this winter, and it will operate in conjunction with 40 temporary units provided next door by the County of Simcoe.
Barrie Cares has collaborated with the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) of Simcoe County, and since its launch, HART of Simcoe County has ensured 45 people have access to live-in treatment and has linked more than 240 people with community-based services.
"Through advocacy from Barrie Cares working with the County of Simcoe and local partners, bed capacity has expanded significantly compared to a year ago," Barrie Cares stated in a news release on Tuesday. "Over 200 beds will soon be available to support vulnerable residents."
Barrie Cares is also looking ahead to Phase Two, a permanent Campus of Care.
"Planned for completion in 2028, this facility will be a 25,000 square-foot centralized intake and assessment hub," according to the news release. "Designed to act as the front door for the entire system, it will feature 50 stabilization beds and 24/7 wrap-around supports, including medical care, mental health and addiction treatment, and housing navigation."
Barrie Cares added it supports a request from Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall to the provincial government for a top-up to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB).
"This is the most effective tool to transition people from the HART Hub and shelters into market rentals, preventing a return to homelessness," stated Barrie Cares.
Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke has sent a letter to the province's Associate Minister of Mental Health seeking a request to expand HART services, including funding for 'spoke' locations in Midland and Orillia, and the reinstatement of start-up funding for rent subsidies.
"We have built the system, aligned the partners, and proven the concept," said Rowley Ramey, chairperson of Barrie Cares. "Now, we stand with the city and county in asking the province to partner with us to ensure this model is sustainable."
