New temporary supportive rapid housing arrives in Orillia
Crews in Orillia have been piecing together six new temporary supportive rapid re-housing units in preparation for use by the end of the month.
"We can start turning our attention to the inside. There's a little bit of mechanical and electrical work we've got to do as well so hopefully we should have that finished by next week" says Brad Spiewak with the County of Simcoe.
The units are being set up on West Street, close to the city's downtown.
The objective is to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
The County and City say this is only a temporary solution for those in need while permanent housing is being sought.
"It's not the complete solution, but it is part of the solution, and it will have a really significant impact on the lives of the people who are part of the program," says city councillor Janet-Lynne Durnford.
This temporary solution will help take some of the stress off local shelters that are often at capacity.
"I know that with 10 units, we are definitely going to be able to use those units and make sure that people will have more resources, so it is going to complement what we do definitely," says Trish Holloway, with the Lighthouse.
"It takes 10 to 20 people at a time out of that system and gives them some hope of establishing permanent safe and secure housing," says Durnford.
The program's success depends on its proximity to downtown and other social services available in the city.
The project is a collaborative effort between the County and the City. It will operate similarly to the one in Barrie on Rose Street. The County is currently searching for a suitable individual to manage the facility.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.