Ontario Construction News staff writer
Simcoe County councillors approved a plan to build 50 temporary shelter beds in Barrie in time for winter.
Councillors were responding to a staff report indicating an increase in homelessness across Simcoe County.
“This matter is complex, and there’s still work to be done,” Warden George Cornell said.
A request for proposals (RFP) for the design of the temporary shelter at 20 Rose Street – the former site of an OPP station – was issued by the county on July 25 and the construction contract will be awarded by Aug. 22 with an occupancy requirement of Nov. 15.
In addition to the temporary use, a plan to build permanent affordable housing on the site will proceed. The development will include two buildings of 10 and eight storeys with 150 affordable and social housing units, Ontario Works offices and other social services.
The parameters of the RFP include either one temporary structure with 50 sleeping spaces, or two temporary buildings with 25 sleeping spaces each, six three-piece washrooms, common space and office space.
Greg Bishop, general manager of social services says the spaces will ideally be modular construction that can be taken down and moved.
