Prioritizes long-term permanent accommodation for unhoused seniors
Midhurst/November 14, 2024 – The County of Simcoe has partnered with a local retirement residence in Barrie to provide safe, affordable accommodations in a domiciliary care environment for seniors (aged 55+) who have been living chronically unhoused. The County is expanding its current domiciliary care partnership with the residence, covering the costs of shelter and personal needs for low-income individuals who cannot live on their own, but do not qualify for long-term care. This new program is another additional service being added to broad system of services and is a major step towards ending chronic homelessness for seniors living in shelters in the County of Simcoe.
“By funding twenty more domiciliary care spaces in this seniors’ residence, we are taking twenty people out of shelters or encampments, and giving them a permanent place to call home,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “These twenty new spaces will create a domino effect in our shelter system, freeing up shelter beds and encouraging more people to come inside during the coldest months of the year.”
These spaces are prioritized for homeless individuals in the Barrie area, aged 55 or older, and who require assistance with activities of daily living and who are not able to live independently.
Supports provided for these individuals will include: three nutritious meals and two snacks per day, provision of personal laundry services, an adequate supply of towels and bed linens, medication management and supervision, access to telephone services, on-site 24/7 staffing, and the provision of social and recreational activities.
This is just one more investment in unhoused individuals across the region through 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.
Those in need of shelter or warmth can always call 2-1-1 to connect with a nearby shelter.
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.
