What currently looks like a big mound of dirt next to the Salvation Army Barrie Citadel in the city's north end will soon be a full-blown construction site as crews get working on building a new multi-million-dollar supportive housing project in Barrie.
Officials with Redwood Park Communities and the Salvation Army gathered at the Lillian Crescent site this morning (June 28) to announce the start of construction for the project, which will include a 12-unit short-term supportive housing facility for families in crisis.
In partnership with Redwood, the Salvation Army’s Barrie Bayside Mission will provide the necessary day-to-day support to families through housing-based case management and resources focused on stable long-term housing solutions.
“This will be not only a structure for habitation but a home where families can reconnect with themselves and each other, where relationships are formed and strengthened, and where cycles of homelessness in the fullest sense of the world are broken,” said Redwood Park communications director Jennifer van Gennip, speaking on behalf of the organization’s co-founder and CEO Tim Kent, who was unable to attend Tuesday's event.
“Things are happening here now. A good portion of the site services have been done for drainage and water supply, and hydro and gas will be done later as the building is further along,” she added. “Tender packages are out… and some bids have already been received and will be reviewed shortly. Over the next couple of weeks, this should start to look like a building. If things go relatively smoothly… this time next year we will be welcoming our first residents."
Through community support and work done by the capital campaign team, van Gennip said $2.4 million has already been raised for the project. An additional $700,000 is still needed, she added.
Glenn van Gulik, divisional secretary for public relations with the Salvation Army's Ontario Division, said they are proud to partner with Redwood Park on the project.
“I know our team at divisional headquarters has long watched this project continue to expand and grow and move forward. It is our pleasure to be such a partner in this,” he said.
The multi-million-dollar supportive housing facility will provide much-needed hope to some of the community's most vulnerable residents, added Salvation Army Ontario divisional leader Lt.-Col. Shawn Critch.
“The Salvation Army has, for many years, been an innovative partner in community and certainly here in Barrie," he said. "We are absolutely grateful for every partnership that has shaped our work here. It is a challenging time… and we want to be a part of the solution.”
To help bring the project to reality, and to realize the image on the fence behind him, Critch announced that the Salvation Army Ontario Division is providing $500,000 toward the building of the 12 new supportive housing units, in addition to providing the land on which the housing project will be built.
“The investment… is a clear indication that we desire deeply to be an innovative partner mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship and build communities that are just,” he said. “The Salvation Army’s investment of $500,000 towards this supportive housing project affirms our commitment to the most vulnerable in Barrie who are struggling.
"Our primary goal through this endeavour with Redwood Park Communities is to get individuals and families housed long-term, and we believe this project is foundational in achieving those desired outcomes," Critch added.
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman attended Tuesday morning’s event and told BarrieToday he was delighted to see the project get moving.
“One, it’s units for families, which are badly needed in our system. We do not have a lot of transitional or supportive housing for families — virtually none — in Barrie, and that means people are sometimes forced to split up and that’s just terrible," he said.
The second thing, the mayor added, is that the site is a church property in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, which will make it a great location for families.
“There was some extra space here and it’s a great use of that land. You can integrate a low-rise apartment building like this into an existing neighbourhood with very little impact," he said. "I think that’s a really great opportunity for more, badly needed affordable (and) supportive housing in Barrie.
“Redwood and the Salvation Army working together, it’s been a ride for them to try and get to this point, but it’s finally happening so that’s really cool.”
Barrie-Springwater-Oro Medonte MPP Doug Downey agreed. He told BarrieToday the project serves as one of the best examples of partnerships in Barrie.
“All the groundwork is done and they’ve laid a great foundation for it. It’s exciting to see it actually start to come out of the ground," Downey said.
In a statement provided to the media, Kent also said he was happy with the progress being made.
“This is just the type of collaborative effort needed to address the housing crisis that is leaving so many of our neighbours vulnerable,” he said. “Like any housing project, it is really about people, and the positive impact of having a safe, affordable, hopeful place to call home — not just on the people who will live here but also for their families for generations to come.”
Construction of the supportive housing project, which covers more than 14,000 square feet, is expected to be completed by the summer of 2023.
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