Homelessness System

Updated - February 2, 2023

Homelessness Winter Shelter and Warming Program

The County of Simcoe leads the local system of homelessness supports and services across the region through partnerships and funded service agreements with community-based organizations.

Rose Street Temporary Shelter opened on December 23, 2022

Click here for details.

Available Services

Should you have any questions regarding homelessness supports and services in Simcoe County, please contact the Community Services department at communityservicesdepartment@simcoe.ca or 705-722-3132, ext. 1470.

Shelter System

Local shelters and service providers deliver and manage homelessness prevention services and operations. While the shelter system is publically funded, local shelters are not directly operated by the County of Simcoe. Emergency homeless shelters in Simcoe County include:

Elizabeth Fry Society, serving women and gender diverse – Barrie
La Maison Rosewood Shelter, serving women and children – Midland
Salvation Army Bayside Mission, serving men – Barrie
S.H.I.F.T. – Alliston (temporary winter sheltering)
The Busby Centre – Barrie
The Busby Centre – Collingwood (temporary winter sheltering)
The Guesthouse – Midland
The Lighthouse – Orillia
Youth Haven, serving youth ages 16 to 24 years old – Barrie

For detailed information on Barrie-area shelters, please see the following documents:

To access a shelter program, contact 211 for assistance or contact the shelter in your local community directly.

Street Outreach

Enhanced street outreach services provide outreach to those experiencing homelessness 365 days a year, seven days a week, with increased emphasis during extreme winter temperatures. Outreach teams offer a range of services to those who are vulnerable and who may not otherwise access shelters. Outreach teams facilitate access to shelter or respite beds in addition to offering individualized supports to help with accessing a range of services such as income supports, mental health and addiction services, health care services and assisting individuals to develop plans to transition from to more permanent housing options.

Simcoe County Winter Warming Centres

The County recognizes and values the important contributions of local, community-based initiatives such as winter warming centres which augment the system of supports and services. Warming centres will be available at the following locations in Simcoe County on nights when Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures reaching -15º Celcuis or colder.

Region	Warming Centre Location	Service Model	Hours of Operation
Barrie	John Howard Society Collier Street United Church 112 Collier St. Barrie	Seven (7) days per week Initiated when the forecast is predicted to be -15ºC or colder Referrals to emergency shelter beds as available Will provide harm reduction 1:8 ratio Chairs provided Bin for personal items provided Basic need supplies and warm clothing as available Support from community partners will be considered Referrals to community supports and services Snacks and drinks as available	9 p.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Orillia	Orillia Warming Centre Orillia Community Church 64 Colborne St. E. Orillia	Seven (7) days per week Initiated when the forecast is predicted to be -15ºC or colder, or a wind chill of -20ºC or colder Operations will be determined by 4 p.m. each day Accepts volunteers Max capacity 16 Minimum of two (2) paid staff will be available for each shift Floor mats for sleeping Individuals will be connected with relevant community resources and emergency shelter beds (when available) Referrals to community supports and services Snacks and drinks as available	9 p.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Collingwood	The Busby Centre Pleasant Manor Motel 9656 Beachwood Rd. Collingwood	Seven (7) days per week Initiated when temperatures reach -10ºC or colder or when there are major storms 6 warming centre spaces available Volunteers as available 1:12 staff ratio-with volunteers present. This ratio may increase up to 1:24 Cots, chairs, tables, totes available Paramedicine and housing resources support can be accommodated Individuals will be connected with shelter beds available Referrals to community supports and service as identified Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks provided as available	5 p.m. – 9 a.m.
Bradford	WOW Living Out of the Cold Café 31 Frederick St. Bradford	Seven (7) days per week Initiated when the forecast is predicted to be -15ºC or colder or a wind hill of -20ºC or colder Operations will be determined by 2pm each day Volunteers will be utilized as available Maximum capacity is ten (10) Individuals will be connected with emergency shelter beds as available Referrals to community supports and services in response to identified needs Snacks and drinks provided	9 p.m. – 8 a.m.