The new Inn from the Cold homeless shelter in Newmarket received a funding boost on Monday, as the provincial and federal governments announced their contribution to the construction. Graydon Smith, Ontario Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Parry Sound—Muskoka MPP, was on hand to officially announce $2.1 million in additional funding for the project. “We know that new shelter beds are critical,” said Smith. “Transitional housing units are also critical, and both those are contained within this project. This provides the services that people need to take those next steps.” Inn from the Cold’s current facility on Penrose Street offers 25 emergency beds and five transitional housing units. The new shelter on Yonge Street will increase that to 30 beds and 18 transitional units among other upgrades, putting greater emphasis on transitional housing. “It actually gives our clients a goal in that when they come into the shelter, they see that they can move into a room of their own, a place of their own.” According to the most recent York Region count, there are 1,100 people experiencing homelessness, including more than 300 living unsheltered, representing a 90 per cent year-over-year increase. “It just shows you the importance of working in partnership with both federal provincial and regional partners to make projects like this come to life,” said Eric Jolliffe, York Region Chairman and CEO. Work on the new Yonge Street shelter began in February 2025, but costs have steadily increased beyond $20 million. York Region contributed $5 million, the Town of Newmarket contributed the land, and the rest came from other local and federal agencies. “Transitional housing is only the next step,” added Ford. “Once they go through transitional housing, we then put them into a program where they have truly independent living.” Construction was supposed to be completed by October, but it got delayed because of hydro and utility issues that had to be resolved. Inn from the Cold staff told CTV News they are confident that the work will be done by this coming June.
