We will no longer be supporting IE7 and below as a web browser effective June 1st 2020. Click here for more information.

Sign In
Skip Navigation LinksSimcoe County > Homelessness System

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.

Availa​ble 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 M​odel Hour​s 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 -15º​C 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.
Br​adford

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​​