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.
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.
|
Latest Housing News
December 22, 2022: Temporary shelter set to open in Barrie
December 2, 2022: Progress continues on temporary shelter in Barrie
November 10, 2022: County of Simcoe begins preliminary work for new affordable housing in Bradford West Gwillimbury
November 10, 2022: Warming shelters available throughout the region this winter
October 17, 2022: County provides update on temporary shelter
October 5, 2022: Statement: County on track to increase temporary shelter spaces in the City of Barrie
July 29, 2022: County and area partners continue to address area homelessness needs
July 5, 2022: County of Simcoe to begin site work for new affordable housing in Bradford West Gwillimbury
June 29, 2022: County releases annual report card on 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy
June 28, 2022: County Council commits additional funding to shelter system
June 23, 2022: Popular secondary suites program creates affordable rentals across the region
March 31, 2022: County opens 2022 Age-Friendly Seniors Housing Grant Program
January 17, 2022: Simcoe County to participate in provincial Point-in-Time Homelessness Count
January 14, 2022: Homelessness prevention services and related supports in the City of Barrie
November 26, 2021: County of Simcoe hosts public information sessions on Affordable Housing Development in Bradford West Gwillimbury
November 15, 2021: County of Simcoe breaks ground on County Orillia Campus Project
For previous news releases, click here