Homeless encampments on city-owned land in Barrie have nearly disappeared, Barrie city staff told Barrie city council during a general committee meeting on Jan. 28.
Jeff Schmitt, general manager of Community and Corporate Services, said the city, the County of Simcoe and Barrie Police Services have worked closely together since a state of emergency was declared on Sept. 9, 2025, to reduce the number of encampments.
“City staff continue to work in partnership with the County of Simcoe and the Barrie Police Services in addressing encampments on city-owned properties,” he said.
“The city has successfully addressed 79 encampments on city-owned properties since the emergency declaration came into effect.”
According to county data, the number of encampments tracked on city-owned property fell from 35 to just two as of Jan. 19, 2026. Approximately five individuals are still residing in those sites.
The data is drawn from the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), the county’s central tracking system.
Schmitt stated that outreach by the county has helped connect 73 people from encampments
with safe indoor accommodations and support services through the local HART Hub, a collaborative homelessness, addiction and mental health resource centre.
“There are 641 active homeless individuals linked to Barrie,” he said, noting that figure is higher than the 604 reported in December.
“The county confirms that this is primarily attributable to more people accessing shelter facilities and support services, especially in extreme cold weather.”
Schmitt stressed that increased numbers in HIFIS do not necessarily represent a rise in homelessness but likely reflect better engagement with county services.
Of those linked to the system, 169 have shelter placements at facilities such as the Salvation Army, the David Busby Centre, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe Muskoka and Youth Haven, while 36 are staying with friends or “couch surfing.”
Another 436 individuals are in the “other” category, which includes staying in vehicles, hotels, motels, detox facilities, incarceration and other similar situations.
Mayor Alex Nuttall said warming centres and Out of the Cold programs continue to be available as needed but emphasized that behavioural rules apply.
“It should be noted that when it comes to Out of the Cold and warming centres, the rules of not engaging in addictive behaviours in the centres are enforced,” he said.
“So if an individual is doing something — getting high or getting drunk — that’s not tolerated in those warming or cooling centres in the summertime when they’re operational.”
The mayor’s remarks echo past comments emphasizing that homelessness encompasses far more than visible tent encampments. Nuttall and city officials have repeatedly said the goal of the emergency response is not simply to remove tents but to connect people with local support programs and resources.
Schmitt also stated one of the largest encampments in the city at Audrey Milligan Park and Pond was recently cleared and will be added to the new local conservation trust once restoration is complete. The park remains closed to the public for the time being.
