The County of Simcoe has partnered with an unspecified Barrie retirement residence to provide 20 safe, affordable accommodations in a domiciliary care environment for seniors (aged 55-plus) who have been living chronically unhoused.
County officials declined to give the name of the retirement home.
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 a broad system of services and is a step towards ending chronic homelessness for seniors living in shelters in the County of Simcoe, according to county officials.
“By funding 20 more domiciliary care spaces in this seniors’ residence, we are taking 20 people out of shelters or encampments, and giving them a permanent place to call home,” Warden Basil Clarke said in a news release. “These 20 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.
