Enacts alternate spaces strategy for 2024/25 winter sheltering
Midhurst/October 18, 2024 – With another winter season approaching, the County of Simcoe has enacted its alternate spaces strategy for winter 2024/25 within the shelter system across the region. This comprehensive system response increases shelter spaces during the coldest months of the year to encourage individuals who are living unhoused to seek safe and warm shelter indoors.
Effective October 15, 2024, the alternate spaces strategy allows shelters to expand the number of warm indoor spaces for those who are unable to secure a shelter bed or a space in a warming centre location when required throughout the winter months.
To reduce risks for individuals out in the elements, during the coldest nights, the County of Simcoe requests that shelter organizations activate additional alternate spaces to support individuals on site who wish to stay inside.
This is just one part of the County’s 10-point homelessness prevention strategy, which provides significant investments and resources to help unhoused individuals across the region. The strategy makes affordable housing even more attainable by increasing supply, creating “deep rent subsidies”, increasing eviction prevention services, and improving available shelter. It commits the County to find new opportunities, enhance community shelter services, and improve safety throughout the community.
It opens up opportunities during months when individuals living unhoused are most at risk to help protect their safety and security including through the alternate spaces activation strategy and warming centres.
The County reminds residents that warming centres are open during the coldest months of the year for vulnerable populations. Warming centres form one more part of the regional system approach to homelessness prevention with support from community partners.
To maximize options for access to warm, indoor locations, all County of Simcoe Social and Community Services offices, located in Alliston, Barrie (3rd floor), Collingwood, Orillia and Midland, are open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for individuals to come in from the cold.
In the coming week, the County will be announcing locations and details of warming centres in communities across the region. Those in need of shelter or warmth can always call 2-1-1 to connect with a nearby shelter or visit one of the warming centre locations.
About the County’s 10-point homelessness prevention strategy
The County of Simcoe’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy provides a strong, data-driven plan to help vulnerable residents and our communities. The strategy includes a considerable added investment toward the goal of preventing and ending 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.
