Barrie hotel ends housing program, leaving many families in limbo
A Barrie hotel announced it would stop a housing program due to challenges, leaving several families who called the hotel home for the past few years grappling with uncertainty about where to go.
The Days Inn on Hart Drive started housing people through the Salvation Army's emergency shelter program in 2021, but now, amid the November chill, all will be evicted.
Robert Orr-Duncan and his mother have called the hotel home for nearly a year, and he said he's stressed and worried, "especially with my mother's health" after receiving their eviction notice.
The 35-year-old said he will have to pack up and vacate by Friday.
"But there is still no word for where we are gonna be and my mother has been admitted to the hospital, and they want to know where they will discharge after the surgery," Orr-Duncan said.
He said hotel staff told him everyone must leave because of damage caused in some rooms.
"I don't think it's fair that everyone has to leave. I can understand their point because they don't want to have to repair damages caused by people, but at the same time, they are punishing the good ones," he said.
The move comes at a time when the County is seeing record high numbers of people living on the streets, and this could result in many more with no place to call home.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The evictions would mean an end to the partnership between the Days Inn and the Salvation Army's emergency shelter program.
In a statement to CTV News, the Salvation Army noted the Barrie Bayside Mission had secured temporary accommodation for those being evicted.
But Orr-Duncan said he has yet to be notified about where he and his mother will go, and he worries it could result in them being separated.
He's holding out hope hotel officials reconsider.
"Everyone has a story to tell, and you can't judge a book by its cover," he added.
With one day to pack his and his mother's belongings, Orr-Duncan is waiting to hear about where or if they will have a roof over their heads with winter looming.
CTV News contacted the Days Inn but has not received a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972157.1721587842!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.