NEWS RELEASE
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
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Does South Georgian Bay need year-round services for people experiencing homelessness?
A confidential survey targeted to residents and organizations in the communities of Collingwood, Clearview Township, The Blue Mountains and Wasaga Beach is underway – participate here. Please feel free to share this survey with others.
Community Connection and our community partners contracted with OrgCode Consulting to examine the feasibility of operating a year-round emergency shelter to serve local people experiencing homelessness. This survey is part of the feasibility study process.
We know there is a serious shortage of social and affordable housing in our communities. The number of people experiencing homelessness in the South Georgian Bay area is increasing and the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the situation, further stressing the limited resources available.
In March 2020, the Out of The Cold overnight winter shelter transitioned into a 24/7 program and following public health directives for congregate settings, moved its operations into a local hotel. In September 2020, a unique partnership was established with the David Busby Centre to oversee shelter operations. Since opening on December 2nd, 2019, the local shelter has served 72 people providing 2,460 overnight stays and diverted more than 100 individuals to more appropriate services. For more details visit Out Of The Cold’s website here.
If you have questions about the feasibility study, please contact Community Connection’s Executive Director, Pamela Hillier, at [email protected].
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