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County creating more space for unhoused individuals through winter

October 24, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

With another winter season approaching, the County of Simcoe has enacted its alternate spaces strategy within the shelter system across the region.

This system response increases shelter spaces during the coldest months of the year to encourage homeless individuals to seek safe and warm shelter indoors.

The alternate space strategy will go into effect on Oct. 15, 2024.

This 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 during the winter months.

To reduce the risk 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 onsite who wish to stay inside.

This is 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.

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.


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