Barrie shelters seek permanent solution as emergency shelter program nears its end
Two Barrie-based shelters are searching for a long-term solution as the end looms for a provincially-funded emergency shelter program.
Funding for the hotel emergency shelter program was set to expire on June 30, but the Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka and Busby Centre have been granted a two-week extension.
"Now we are trying to transition back to our home locations, unfortunately the need has increased throughout the pandemic," said Sara Peddle, executive director of The Busby Centre. "It's scary to think about what's to come if we don't have a solution."
The program was created as a pandemic measure, helping to house hundreds of people experiencing homelessness.
The two shelters provide emergency shelter to about 170 people in home and hotel locations.
But the combined bed capacity will drop to 62 beds without the hotel model, leaving 108 people without safe access to a shelter.
"We are seeing people coming from areas that are shutting down these models without a proper transition plan and it's devastating to see that people are being displaced everywhere," said Peddle. "We are looking for an alternative location that won't be as costly as the hotel, it has served its purpose, but we are looking at another solution."
At the cost of $850,000 per month and with no additional funding from the province, the county is offering to help find a solution until the end of the year by reallocating what's left of the existing funds.
"That model is not sustainable and we certainly do recognize the need for ongoing supports through a secondary site," said Simcoe County's director of community programs, Wendy Hembruff.
Ultimately, Peddle said it comes down to the high cost of rent and lack of affordable housing that increases demand.
"These are broken systems in our country and our province and the people are the collateral damage which is the terrible part," said Peddle.
A church in Barrie has offered to help as a temporary overnight space, but nothing has been finalized. As the county explores that and other options, the goal is to have a plan in place by July 15.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Gangs netting up to US$3 trillion a year as Southeast Asia human trafficking becomes a global crisis, Interpol says
Human trafficking-fuelled fraud is exploding in Southeast Asia with organized crime rings raking in close to US$3 trillion in illicit revenue annually, the head of Interpol has said in comments that reveal the huge profits being earned by cartels.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6% in January as Quebec strikes end
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.