Robert Quinn, a 61-year-old man, reflects on the trials he faced in finding housing after his landlords needed to sell the home he was renting due to health issues in 2022. As a retiree on a fixed income, the rising cost of living made it difficult for Quinn to secure affordable housing. He recounts staying at a friend’s trailer briefly before finding himself without options, a situation exacerbated by the housing crisis in Canada, which left 44 per cent of Canadians concerned about affording housing in the fall of 2022. Statistics Canada reports that over 235,000 people in Canada experience homelessness each year, though homeless advocates believe this number may be underestimated due to hidden homelessness.
Navigating through various agencies and facing stigma associated with homelessness, Quinn moved from temporary shelters to agencies in search of permanent housing. Eventually, he found himself in a temporary shelter in Barrie, supported by the County of Simcoe and local community agencies. The shelter was initially used for overflow during winter months before transitioning into a rapid housing program in the summer. With the assistance of Redwood Park Communities, a supportive housing agency, Quinn was able to secure an apartment within three months, where he now resides with five others but has his own room.
The success of the temporary initiative in Barrie led to 18 clients, 90 per cent of participants, moving to permanent housing. Following this success, the County of Simcoe is looking to expand the program to additional sites. Mina Fayez-Bahgat, the county’s general manager of social and community services, emphasizes the importance of supporting housing outcomes in a safe environment and facilitating a smoother transition through the shelter system to free up beds for others in need. With shelters in Simcoe County operating at 90% capacity on average, the need for housing solutions is evident.
Despite the challenges he faced, Quinn expresses gratitude for the assistance he received and highlights the importance of accepting help from others in times of need. He encourages those facing homelessness not to lose hope, as there are resources and individuals willing to provide support and guidance. Through his own experience, Quinn learned the importance of resilience and cooperation in overcoming adversity. As the county looks to expand housing initiatives and address the ongoing homelessness challenge, Quinn serves as a testament to the impact of community support and collaborative efforts in helping individuals secure stable housing.
