The wheels are still in motion to create temporary shelter spaces in Barrie.
Although County of Simcoe officials were unable to share the specifics of the project, they say they have confirmed that plans to increase temporary shelter spaces within the city in time for winter are still on track.
County of Simcoe council has approved a plan to build a temporary homeless shelter on its property at 20 Rose St., site of the former Barrie OPP detachment near Bayfield Street and Highway 400, by November.
“The county is pleased to confirm that the work to acquire a temporary shelter is nearing completion. Our supplier has confirmed their ability to deliver and prepare the shelter for occupancy by November 15, pending inspections of units and receipt of municipal approvals,” Warden George Cornell said in a statement emailed to BarrieToday.
The warden says the county also continues to work with its partners at the city on bylaw requirements and details related to utility connections.
The temporary shelter is expected to provide an additional 50 shelter beds for the city and surrounding communities — in addition to the 152 currently available.
“With colder temperatures yet to arrive, approximately 30 per cent of shelter spaces in the city remain open each night. For those affected by homelessness, please know that there is space available for you,” Cornell said. “I can’t thank our county staff and our partners at the City of Barrie enough for their commitment and passion to move this project forward and help our vulnerable residents.
"Homelessness and housing affordability impact the entire region, and projects such as this temporary shelter initiative, warming centres and affordable housing developments occurring across Simcoe County are only possible when our communities work together to pool resources, ideas and funding. We will continue to work for all of our residents to ensure safe and warm places to stay," he added.
Requests for proposal (RFP) for the design of the temporary shelter on Rose Street were issued by the county on July 25, with a deadline of Aug. 11. The award was to be decided by Aug. 22 with an occupancy requirement of Nov. 15.
The parameters of the RFP include either one temporary structure containing 50 sleeping spaces, or two temporary buildings with 25 sleeping spaces each. The space/spaces would include one kitchen and six three-piece washrooms, common space and office space.
The Rose Street site is earmarked for future affordable housing development, which is still planned to proceed.
A spokesperson for the County of Simcoe told BarrieToday an RFP went out for temporary shelter in the Barrie area in August, but said more information is expected to be made available within the next few weeks once contracts are finalized.
