Saturday, October 4, 2025
More

    Top 6 This Week

    popular+

    County applauds new funding to support homelessness prevention and address encampments

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    Midhurst/January 8, 2025 – The County of Simcoe applauds the recent provincial announcement for the Shelter Expansion / Encampment Response Initiative Funding and to top up the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB), increasing the flow of individuals from homelessness into housing. The County believes this funding will help increase efforts to move residents who have been living “rough”, in encampments, or staying in shelters to more stable housing outcomes.

    Homelessness remains an ongoing challenge across the region and in communities across Ontario, but it is a challenge that the County of Simcoe is committed to addressing by finding new and innovative solutions and by providing ongoing supports and services. The County’s Housing and Homelessness Services team works tirelessly every day to support people experiencing homelessness, who are unsheltered or who are staying in temporary shelters, to move to permanent housing.

    Going forward, the County has pledged to continue its commitment to support unsheltered people living in encampments and in shelters to successfully transition to safe and stable housing. Our commitment to continue optimizing use of shelter spaces ensures the effective flow into permanent stable housing and creates additional stability within the community for individuals living unhoused.

    Since launching its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy in 2023, the County has been making significant investments and enhancements to social services programs and supports in cities of Barrie and Orillia and in our member municipalities across Simcoe County. These significant investments include the purchase of four modular facilities to allow unhoused individuals greater access to rapid rehousing programming and, in turn, permanently free up much-needed shelter beds for those living outside.

    Within this 10-point plan, the pillars created include improving safety and well-being, creating easier ways to access services, enhancing community shelter services and standards, and finding new opportunities. This added funding has the potential to bolster these supports across our communities.

    Some of the most recent highlights of the 10-point plan include:

    • Two active SRRP programs with two more planned to open in 2025, supporting 55 transitional spaces across the County
    • since November 2024, the County has begun permanently transitioning 47 seniors (55+) out of emergency shelters and into assisted living programs and rapid rehousing programs
    • 68 overnight warming spaces and an additional 30 daytime spaces created in 2024/2025 to support unhoused individuals during the coldest months of the year
    • opened a new County-owned warming centre at 445 Blake Street in Barrie
    • Alternative Space Activation, introduced last winter, rapidly creates approximately 110 spaces in our emergency shelter locations when the weather drops below -10 degrees Celsius
    • Centralized the Motel Voucher Program through Community Connections’ 211 services, allowing spaces to expand dynamically as needed

    This is just one more way that the County is #BuildingUp our communities. For updates on how the County of Simcoe is investing in our communities, visit simcoe.ca/BuildingUp.

    About the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit
    The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) increases affordability of rental housing in Ontario by providing portable housing benefits directly to households in need that are on, or eligible to be on, a social housing waiting list and to households in financial need living in Community Housing.

    About the County’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy
    The plan provides a strong, data-driven strategy to help vulnerable residents and our communities. It includes considerable added investment, enhancements, and support for the unhoused population in our communities.

    The plan takes a collaborative approach to building up communities, service providers, the business community, and residents. Through this strategy, the County continues to work collaboratively with partners and municipalities to continue to prevent and end chronic homelessness. For further details and ongoing updates to the homelessness prevention plan, visit simcoe.ca/HomelessnessSystem.

    About the County of Simcoe
    The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    Popular Articles

    GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM

    Popular Articles

    OPP SEIZES MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN ILLEGAL CANNABIS

    (BOBCAYGEON, ON) - More than $4 million in illegal cannabis plants, clones and processed cannabis bud seized and three people charged following a Cannabis Act (CA) investigation. On...

    Ally Vitally asks: Feeling a bit sluggish? Want to give your immune system a boost? #GINGER

    Look no further than the power of ginger and turmeric. These potent roots, packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, can be easily transformed into...

    TBM Fire Department Reminds Residents to “Spring Forward” by Changing Clocks and Alarm Batteries

    The Town of The Blue Mountains Fire Department would like to remind residents that clocks will spring forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. on...

    ‘In a new realm’: China’s escalating cyberespionage leaving the U.S. ‘so vulnerable’

    On Friday, the U.S. announced sanctions on China’s Integrity Technology Group, a cybersecurity firm linked to the Chinese hacking group Flax Typhoon, which has...

    Dan McGann | A Tribute to My Home Town of Collingwood

    I remember my old town as a peaceful and quiet place in the 60s and 70s when I grew up there. I lived at...

    Ask Gracelyn: How long should I wait before introducing my partner to my family?

    Dear Gracelyn: How long should I wait before introducing my partner to my family? Brittany V - The Town of The Blue Mountains Dear Brittany, The right...

    Collingwood Christmas Market

    Now in its 4th year, the Collingwood Christmas Market has become a must attend tradition for the region aswell as the tourist and visiting...

    Doina Oncel | A Mid-Year Budget Reset for Parents & It Starts Monday

    We’re halfway through the year, which makes it the perfect time for a reset. If your family budget has been on autopilot (or off the...

    IMPORTANT | Canada MP PUTS THE SCREWS IN Trump… CANADA IS PISSED

    MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas speaks with Canadian Member of Parliament Charlie Angus who says Canada is ready to take on Donald Trump. Visit https://meidasplus.com...

    As youth march for a safe climate, politicians pander to polluters

    By David Suzuki It’s hard for me to imagine what life must be like for young people today. Once again, they took to the streets this month...

    CBC could be a beacon in turbulent times

    By David Suzuki If we measured the amount of space and time devoted to issues in news outlets, we would conclude audiences are most interested...

    Ask Gracelyn: How do I know if I’m ready for a serious relationship?

    Dear Gracelyn: How do I know if I'm ready for a serious relationship? Brenda K - Collingwood That's a thoughtful question, Brenda. Knowing if you're ready...

    Paddle Power! Collingwood Regatta | June 8th

    CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER Collingwood Paddling Club is pleased to host the 3rd annual Collingwood Canoe Kayak Regatta. Come catch the action this Saturday in the...

    The Blue Mountains OPP and Community Partners Work Together to Maintain Critical Infrastructure

    (THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ON) - Members of the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), in collaboration with local fuel...

    Bowling Down Barriers Fundraiser | October 5th

    STRIKE IT BIG by registering for our 2nd Annual Bowling Down Barriers fundraiser taking place October 5th. Not only is it a fun-filled afternoon but...

    Why You Should Not Ask AI Chatbots for Medical Advice

    Asking AI chatbots for medical advice is not a good idea for several critical reasons. While they can provide general information and assist with...

    Why you should visit Blue Mountain in Canada in summer | 4K Virtual Walking Tour

    Blue Mountain Village near Collinwood is a very popular destination in Southern Ontario not only during winter for skiing but also in summertime for...

    NEW LISTING – Stunning 1921 Edwardian Century Brick home, 4+1 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Blending Timeless Elegance With Modern Upgrades

    $1,200,000 NEW LISTING - 12 Elizabeth St., W, Creemore This Stunning 1921 Edwardian Century Brick home, 4+1 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Blending Timeless Elegance With Modern...

    2025 Grants and Donations Program Now Accepting Applications

    The Town of The Blue Mountains Council is pleased to announce that the 2025 Grants and Donations Program is now accepting applications. The deadline...

    Let’s be blunt: Trump’s trade talks are a SHAKEDOWN

    Publisher Rudyard Griffiths and editor-at-large Sean Speer discuss the ongoing trade negotiations between Canada and the United States in the lead up to next...

    Statement from the Office of the Mayor – Resignation of Councillor Houston

    Collingwood, ON - It is with understanding and respect that Council has accepted the resignation of Councillor Brandon Houston with immedate effect. The Town received...

    Golf Course Closed for Maintenance on Thursday, September 19 | The Town of The Blue Mountains

    Golf Course Closed for Maintenance on Thursday, September 19 The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to advise the public that the Municipal Golf...

    Frankie Malloy is on a MISSION to find “OREO, and CINNAMON a Forever Family”.

    Pawsome furiends!  Share fair and wide to find our furry friends a new home – Love, Frankie Malloy Meet Cinnamon Cinnamon is a 2 months old female Domestic Shorthair/Mix cat who weighs 1 kilograms. Hi there!...

    VIDEOS | Collingwood Santa Claus Parade – Best Parade Ever

    Children of all ages enjoyed Great Community Time!!! Props to all the great volunteers, supporters, and participants who make our Santa Claus Parade the best. Spoiler...