About Supportive Rapid Re-Housing
The County’s Supportive Rapid Re-Housing Program (SRRP) is a temporary program designed to assist individuals who are facing homelessness transition into permanent housing within a short period of time (typically 180 days). Clients are considered low-risk individuals who have been impacted by situational homelessness.
People who live in the SRRP units are supported through all aspects of the move-in process, including:
- unit viewings
- reviewing leases
- furnishing apartments
- establishing connections
On-going follow-up supports are provided to ensure clients are adapting well and support they require is available.
During the SRRP housing period, residents will be provided full wrap-around services including mental health, addiction, employment supports and other needs.
Current SRRP site(s)
Orillia
The County of Simcoe is currently finalizing plans to secure a temporary modular facility. An operator will be selected to manage this facility to run programs later this month, prior to the facility opening.
Once the facility has been placed and an operator has been selected, this program will support 10-20 participants within the first six months of the project and 20-40 participants within the first year, which could equal up to 100-200 participants over the project’s duration of five years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This temporary program is designed to assist individuals, previously identified as situationally homeless, to transition into permanent housing within 180 days. It is a supportive environment that provides full wrap-around services.
People who live in the SRRP units are supported in all aspects of the move-in process, including unit viewings, reviewing leases, furnishing apartments, and establishing connections with on-going follow up supports. During the housing period, residents receive full wrap-around services including mental health, addition, employment supports and other needs.
An operator will be selected to manage SRRP facilities prior to the facility opening.
A similar temporary structure has been successfully utilized by the County in the City of Barrie on Rose Street. While being operated as a transitional housing program, the initiative in Barrie led to 18 clients (90% of the participants) moving to permanent housing in a limited period, which is the ultimate goal of the program.
Dispelling Common Myths
Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) is an initiative funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. ACT, operated by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with the participation of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association. ACT lists some common NIMBY objections and responses in its guide “Housing in my Backyard: A Municipal Guide for Responding to NIMBY”.
Reality: Many studies on affordable housing conclude that there is no impact on property values. One study done in Toronto found that, “there was no evidence that the existence of the supportive housing buildings studied has negatively affected either property values or crime rates in the neighbourhood. Property values have increased and crime decreased in the period considered by the study.”
Reality: Like any new development, a higher density or infill-housing proposal must meet the municipality’s planning and engineering standards. In addition, multiple-family dwellings near quality transit services are likely to attract residents with lower levels of car ownership, as are dwellings geared to older people, people with disabilities, and families with lower incomes.
Reality: Generally, higher-density housing needs less extensive infrastructure than new development – features like piped water, sewer services, schools and roads already exist. Also, higher-density development and infill can provide the larger customer base needed to increase the range and quality of available services (such as public transit).
Reality: Often, the future occupants of new affordable housing already live in the neighbourhood. They are people sharing an apartment with other family members or friends, or struggling to pay market rent by giving up meals or having to walk because they cannot afford transit fares. Inclusive communities provide housing opportunities for all.
Reality: A Canadian study of 146 supportive housing sites concluded that “there was no statistically significant evidence that supportive housing led to increased rates of reported violent, property, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct or total crimes.” In fact, the future occupants of new affordable housing often already live in the neighbourhood.