The Campus of Care
The Campus of Care is our commitment to a new way forward: a unified, cross-partner solution to homelessness in Barrie that delivers lasting systemic change.
It’s where compassion meets true coordination, and where holistic, evidence-based practices guide every action. A transformative space, the Campus ensures every individual receives comprehensive, wraparound services and integrated support, providing the dignity and structure necessary to begin a new chapter.
The Campus of Care is our community’s roadmap for a compassionate and lasting solution to homelessness.
A Phased and Strategic Approach
Our plan is organized around a clear, two-phase timeline to ensure we provide urgent relief now while building a lasting solution for the future.
Phase 1: Urgent Action
(Temporary Campus of Care)
This phase addresses the immediate needs of individuals facing homelessness. It’s a key first step in building a truly coordinated system of care.
- What: We are upgrading and repurposing the former County of Simcoe Paramedic building at 113 Tiffin Street to create a temporary Campus of Care. This site will provide critical services while the permanent facility is being developed.
- Services: The temporary campus will include a kitchen and dining area, showers, laundry facilities, and urgent care service rooms. It will also host 40 temporary shelter beds, funded and operated by the County of Simcoe.
- Our Progress: We have committed to raising $250,000 for the infrastructure upgrades needed to make this temporary site operational for Winter 2025.
Phase 2: Lasting Impact
(Permanent Campus of Care)
This permanent facility will be a purpose-built hub for a centralized intake and assessment, providing comprehensive, integrated services.
- What: We plan to build a fully funded, 30,000 sq ft, 50-bed facility at a location TBD on City of Barrie land. This will serve as a centralized physical intake and assessment facility to augment the current homelessness and emergency shelter system.
- Integrated Services: The campus will be a central point for a wide range of services, including primary health care, mental health and addiction services, housing navigation, and justice support. It will also provide transportation to treatment and housing programs.
- Collaboration: This permanent campus will be a model of collaboration, with direct coordination between Barrie Cares, the County of Simcoe, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).
Our Plan in Action: From Vision to Impact.
Transparency and accountability are fundamental to our work. Our plan lays out a clear path from our initial vision to measurable results.
We are committed to providing regular updates on our progress and sharing key data with our partners and the public, showing our community every step we take to build the Campus of Care.
Our Strategic Timeline
This timeline maps out our strategy to transition from providing urgent relief to establishing a lasting, permanent solution.
Launch Phase 1 of our plan, focusing on fundraising and opening the temporary Campus of Care. This initial step is critical to providing immediate relief and building a strong foundation for future phases.
Phase 2 will begin with securing land agreements and zoning approvals for the permanent Campus of Care. We will also launch our capital campaign and begin construction on the permanent facility, transforming our vision into a tangible reality.
We will open the doors of the permanent Campus of Care, marking the successful completion of our long-term plan. This facility will serve as a central hub for coordinated support, providing dignity, stability, and hope for our unhoused neighbours for years to come.
Tracking Our Progress
We are dedicated to a data-driven approach. We have set clear, outcome-focused targets to ensure we are closing the gap between the number of people entering and exiting homelessness.
within 48 hours.
…to recovery, housing, or mental health services.
Join Us in Building a Brighter Barrie.
We are a catalyst for collaboration, uniting partners, resources, and community will. Your support is the key to making this vision a reality and ensuring our collective effort succeeds. Help us reach our $250,000 goal for the temporary Campus of Care infrastructure. Every contribution makes a difference in providing dignity, stability, and hope.
Our Partners
