Bruce County strengthens homelessness response and announces community forum

Unsheltered homelessness is on the rise across Canada. Once considered primarily an urban issue, it is now a growing concern in smaller and rural communities, including Bruce County.

The county delivers a range of programs through Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program, including:
 

• Homelessness prevention supports
• Emergency shelter services in partnership with the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce
• Encampment outreach
• Transitional housing

The county human services department works in partnership with the YMCA, the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, the Bruce County Community Paramedicine Program, Brightshores Health System, and other community services to provide proactive and responsive supports to unhoused residents.

Bruce County and its community partners use a no-wrong-door approach to connecting people with the right resources quickly.

“Homelessness is complex and requires collaboration across governments, service providers, and the community,” said Tina Metcalfe, county director of human services. “Our goal is to meet people where they are, address immediate needs, and create pathways to long-term housing stability.”

To continue the conversation and further strengthen community partnerships, the Grey Bruce Homelessness Response Steering Committee is hosting a Virtual Homelessness Forum, Nov. 12. This event will bring together service providers, community partners, and residents to share updates, challenges, and explore solutions to address homelessness locally. Details about participation in the on-line forum are coming soon.

If you need support, or are concerned about the well-being of a person who is unhoused, you may:
 

• Call 211 or visit 211ontario.ca
• Call YMCA Rural Housing and Homelessness Outreach at 519-371-9222
• Contact Bruce County Human Services at 1-800-265-3022 or by E-mail at HuSinfo@brucecounty.on.ca
• Call 911 if someone is in serious distress or in the case of emergency

For more details about housing and homelessness supports in Bruce County, visit www.brucecounty.on.ca/housing-and-homelessness-support.