A 40-bed modular facility arrived in Barrie aboard a convoy of trucks.
The County of Simcoe says this facility will form part of the Campus of Care, announced by Barrie Cares and the county last month.
"The modular building will immediately be utilized to support the County of Simcoe's winter response strategy, providing a 24/7 40-bed program for those currently living unsheltered. This supportive bridge housing program will also provide 24/7 on-site support and services for unsheltered individuals to secure sustainable and permanent housing outcomes," the county said in a news release on Tuesday.
The facility is expected to open in the coming weeks after installation is completed.
The modular is located on Tiffin Street, next to a former paramedic station that Barrie Cares plans to renovate into a space featuring a kitchen and dining area, a warming space, and urgent care rooms to connect people with support and health services. Barrie Cares has launched a $250,000 campaign to upgrade the building.
At last month's news conference, Barrie Cares said the 40-bed modular facility will create a seamless pathway from emergency shelter to stability and recovery for an estimated 1,200 people over the next year.
The County of Simcoe is responsible for shelter services, including those in Barrie, such as the Busby Centre, Youth Haven, Elizabeth Fry Society and the Salvation Army Bayside Mission.
