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County plans to reduce emergency shelter plan as pandemic winds down

May 19, 2022   ·   0 Comments

With the pandemic winding down, Simcoe County has been engaged in a transition plan aligned with the province’s Re-Opening of Ontario Act.

This will result in a gradual reduction in emergency funding support from both the provincial and federal levels including Provincial Social Services Relief Funding and enhanced federal Reaching Home funding for the temporary emergency motel shelter model.

The emergency motel shelter model was a direct response to the needs of homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The County planned the transition in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and funded homeless shelter operators and stakeholders across the region.

The plan includes winding down the ongoing temporary emergency motel shelter model by June 30, 2022. This will allow shelter operators some advanced time to prepare for a safe return to regular shelter settings after more than two years.

On May 11, 2022, the County received the go-ahead from the SMDHU that homeless shelter providers may resume operations at their locations at full capacity.

The County will continue to work with homeless shelter providers through the region to resume operations at full capacity in the coming weeks.

With the return to regular shelter settings, individuals will continue to have access to a range of services and support to assist them while looking for housing.

By Brian Lockhart

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