PRESS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY
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Simcoe County is partnering with the Salvation Army Bayside Mission and the Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka to improve winter warming for people experiencing homelessness in the area.

These additional warming center services in the City of Barrie create more opportunities for people living unhoused to return home when they are most at risk. While in county-funded warming centers, people can access help finding shelter, housing, health care, and other services and supports.

This is only part of the county’s territory 10-point homelessness prevention strategywhich provides significant investments and resources to help unhoused people throughout the region.

The strategy makes affordable housing even more accessible by increasing supply, creating significant rental subsidies, increasing eviction prevention services, and improving available housing. It commits the county to finding new opportunities, improving community housing services and improving safety throughout the community.

Last week, the county adopted its Alternative Spaces Strategy and today’s announcement strengthens support for people experiencing homelessness in the Barrie area. This overall system response increases available heating and shelter space as the region approaches the coldest nights of the year.

To maximize options for access to warm indoor spaces, all Simcoe County Social and Community Services offices, located in Alliston, Barrie (third floor), Collingwood, Orillia and Midland, are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for individuals to return from the cold.

The county reminds residents that warming centers are open during the coldest months of the year for vulnerable populations. These warming centers are part of the regional systemic approach to preventing homelessness with the support of community partners.

The heating services listed are funded by the County of Simcoe in partnership with the City of Barrie and the City of Orillia, which go beyond regular municipal utility contributions.

Additional Simcoe County Warming Centers in the City of Barrie and other communities will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Those in need of shelter or warmth can always call 211 to connect with a nearby shelter or visit one of the locations listed below.

Warming opportunities available at the following locations:

Barrie (Salvation Army, Bayside Mission, 16 Bayfield Street, Barrie)

Night heating will be available up to seven days a week, as needed.

The Salvation Army Warming Center will begin nighttime operations at its discretion, depending on temperature, wind chill, weather events and a minimum of -10 degrees Celsius or lower. The maximum capacity of the warming center is eight male participants.

Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka (Simcoe Residential Hotel, 31 Bayfield Street, Barrie)

Up to 10 rooms with shared facilities available for short stays through the Simcoe Residential Hotel. The Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka will provide on-site case management and daytime housing support. The rooms will complement other nighttime warming programs and create increased access to indoor spaces for couples in addition to individuals when shelter beds are full or, in circumstances where, due to special needs, an individual may not not be able to access an emergency shelter or other warming system. programs. The location accepts pets. Will serve 10 to 12 people. Effective from November 15, 2024 to April 30, 2025.

Additional Simcoe County warming locations in the City of Barrie, including daytime and nighttime warming, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Orillia Community Church (64 Colborne Street East, Orillia)

Night heating will be available from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., up to seven days a week, as needed. Effective from November 18, 2024 to April 30, 2025.

The Lighthouse Overflow Night Warming Center will initiate its night warming center operations at its discretion based on temperature, wind chill, weather events and a minimum of -10°C or lower.

The maximum capacity of the warming center is 16 participants with mattresses. The maximum capacity can increase to 30 people if all participants are seated at the table.

WOW Living Bradford out of Cold Cafe (177 Church St., Bradford)

Night heating will be available from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., up to seven days a week, as needed. Effective from October 15, 2024 to April 30, 2025.

WOW Living (Out of the Cold Cafe) will initiate nighttime warming center operations at its discretion, based on temperature, wind chill, weather events and a minimum of -10°C.

Maximum warming center capacity is 10 participants for extended hours or overnight, and daytime (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is 50 participants.

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