Bruce-Grey working to connect individuals, families to right supports at right time

Community members took part in a virtual Homelessness and Co-ordinated Access Community Forum, Wednesday, hosted by Bruce and Grey counties.

The Grey Bruce Community Safety and Well-Being Planning initiative presented the opportunity to explore services available across the region and the co-ordinated response provided by community partners.

A range of topics, including co-ordinated access, emergency shelter options and outreach services, were covered through presentations by both counties and the YMCA Owen Sound Grey Bruce.

“We often speak about having the right supports available at the right time, while creating pathways to stable housing,” said Anne Marie Shaw, director of community services for Grey County. “The forum focused on how a combinations of efforts, including homelessness prevention supports, early intervention services, crisis response, transitional and supportive housing options, and community safety approaches, all play a part in addressing this complex issue.”

Community partners, together through the co-ordination of the Community Safety and Well-Being Planning initiative, work to build a strong, responsive housing system that supports vulnerable residents. Thank you to local organizations and volunteers for your continued support for residents who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

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

• Call 211 or visit 211ontario.ca for service navigation or after-hours emergency shelter support
• 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
• Contact Grey County Housing at 1-800-567-4739 or visit www.grey.ca/contact
• Call 911 if someone is in serious distress or in case of emergency

“The Homelessness and Co-ordinated Access Virtual Forum provides us the opportunity to engage with the community and build a co-ordinated system,” said Tina Metcalfe, director human services for Bruce County. “It’s efforts like these that help us develop supports that make a difference in our communities.”

For more details about housing and homelessness supports, contact:
 

• Bruce County - www.brucecounty.on.ca/housing-and-homelessness-support
• Grey County - www.grey.ca/resident-services/community-services