Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke has issued a statement following the City of Barrie’s declaration of a State of Emergency to address growing encampments.
Clarke emphasized that homelessness is a shared challenge across Ontario and Canada, with rising rates not unique to Barrie or Simcoe County.
“The County stands ready to support the City of Barrie’s by-law and enforcement efforts,” Clarke said, noting that one-time provincial funding will help create more housing options.
He pointed to the County’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy, launched in 2024, which combines immediate measures like warming centres, expanded shelters, and outreach, with long-term investments including supportive housing, transitional housing, and affordable unit development such as the 220 new rentals on Rose Street.
Current initiatives include expanding outreach services, launching the HART of Simcoe County recovery program, completing the Blake Street acquisition with modular units, and moving forward with a new 40-bed modular supportive housing site expected to open this winter. The County also allocated about $700,000 in encampment-related funding to Barrie last winter.
Clarke acknowledged that shelters provide essential short-term relief but stressed that sustainable housing with wrap-around supports – from mental health care to addiction treatment – is key to long-term solutions.
“Homes cannot be built overnight,” he said, echoing Mayor Nuttall’s remarks, “but today’s announcement may allow us to cut red tape and expedite projects already in the works.”
The County says it will continue to work closely with the City of Barrie and local partners to implement both short- and long-term strategies, aiming to ensure that everyone who seeks housing can access it.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
- Rick.Sargent@LocalRadio.ca (Bolton)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
