Nearly 76 per cent of individuals experiencing homelessness who have been using the emergency motel model (EMM) in Barrie have been connected with other housing/shelter options.
In a news release on Friday, the County of Simcoe said as of July 6, those options included more permanent housing, regular homeless shelter settings, reunification with family, residential seniors' services, supporting housing and repatriation to home communities where employment and housing were available.
"Of those individuals who chose not to exercise any of these options, outreach teams will continue to work with unsheltered individuals to strengthen connections to the wide range of homelessness prevention services and supports throughout the region," according to the news release.
The EMM began at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and was still being used by the Busby Centre and Elizabeth Fry Society with an end date of July 31, 2022. Funding for the program was provided by the provincial and federal governments until the end of June, but with dozens of people at risk of being left to fend for themselves, the EMM was extended thanks to financial support from the City of Barrie ($400,000) and County of Simcoe ($800,000).
Youth Haven also made use of the EMM, but the agency’s transitional program returned to its current location in April 2021, and the emergency shelter resumed operations from its Wellington Street site last October.
The Salvation Army Bayside Mission did not participate in the program and was able to meet distancing and isolation requirements from their downtown location.
“We appreciate the efforts and cooperation of our service providers to work with County staff during this period of transition to support the needs of homeless individuals,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell. “We recognize that the needs are growing across Ontario and Canada. By working collaboratively and utilizing funds, resources and knowledge of federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments, combined with support from community partners, we can and have made a difference. We know more needs to be done and the County is committed to building sustainable solutions to further address the growing impacts of homelessness within our region.”
The County of Simcoe is the funding provider for shelter services in Barrie.
In the news release, the county said staff continue to work with partners to build upon sustainable o options and solutions, including:
- New 14-room supportive housing program in the City of Barrie (anticipated completion: late 2022-early 2023)
- Increase of six supportive housing units at Lucy’s Place in the City of Barrie (anticipated completion: late summer-early fall 2022)
- Funded an additional 41 shelter beds in regular and temporary shelter settings, bringing the number of shelter beds in the City of Barrie to 152
- Simcoe County Housing Corporation build at 20 Rose Street in the City of Barrie (in pre-development)
- Recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to initiate a new temporary homeless shelter facility on County-owned property in the City of Barrie, with a potential completion date of mid-November 2022
- Immediately issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Warming Centre Operations for winter 2022-2023
Additionally, County staff will be engaging the services of a consultant through an upcoming procurement process to assist with a comprehensive review of the system of homelessness services and supports in Simcoe County, with recommendations to Council planned for the first quarter of 2023. This review will identify current needs to best position the system to assist homeless individuals and families.
Banner image: The Busby Centre, Barrie
