Tents line downtown Barrie sidewalks as homelessness crisis surges

Barrie is seeing a surge in makeshift shelters, with tents popping up in parts of the downtown, raising concern among residents about safety and a worsening homelessness crisis.

The situation expanded after the recent closure of an encampment along Anne, John and Victoria streets - which was reportedly home dozens of people. Since then, many of those displaced have set up tents elsewhere, including along Mulcaster Street near the Busby Centre, where makeshift shelters now crowd the sidewalks.

The large encampment was initially closed for a police investigation before the City of Barrie issued notices of trespass to individuals to keep the area vacant for cleanup efforts. According to the City, work continues with the County of Simcoe and support agencies to address the ongoing homelessness crisis.

“My belief is if you’re looking for help and you’re looking for support, Barrie is a great place, and the County is a great place to get that help and support,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall, adding, “If you’re not and you just want to live on the streets and live in addictions, this probably isn’t the place for you.”

In an email to CTV News, Hayley Murdoch-Fyke, executive director of the John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka, said the influx of tents is a result of a system lacking safe, affordable housing and adequately funded social supports.

“For some, traditional shelter options are not accessible due to personal circumstances, such as having pets, working through recovery, or past conflicts. Criminalizing or displacing encampments does not solve homelessness — it only deepens cycles of poverty, trauma, and involvement in the justice system,” she said.

Murdoch-Fyke emphasized the need for investment in housing, mental health and addiction services.

“Meaningful change requires a community-wide commitment to addressing root causes rather than punishment,” she added.

The County of Simcoe opened two emergency shelters for those displaced, one on Tiffin Street and the other on Sperling Drive, and while both are open 24 hours and offer access to resources, neither location is equipped with beds for people to sleep. Staff say about eight to 10 people use each site daily.

Brian Shelley, chief executive and philanthropy officer with United Way Centraide Simcoe Muskoka, agreed that long-term solutions lie in making housing affordable and services accessible.

“Encampments are the result of a housing and homelessness crisis that has been building for years, if not decades,” he said.

Shelley stressed the need for creativity and collaboration across all levels of government to address the issue of homelessness. “One example of this innovation is United Way Simcoe Muskoka’s Home Relief Bank, which provides interest-free loans to individuals at risk of losing their homes,” he noted. “By preventing evictions and housing loss, we can help stop more individuals and families from entering the cycle of homelessness.”

The County says affordable housing and additional shelter space is on the horizon, but emphasized permanent solutions take time.

“We have expanded shelter capacity immensely. We have a 40-unit modular arriving in Barrie momentarily, which again will allow an additional 40 spaces for individuals to come indoors,” explained Andrew Scavarelli, director of housing and homelessness services.

“We need those long-term housing units, permanent, secure housing for people, and that looks like social and supportive housing. It would take an investment from government to build these units. But it would actually save taxpayers in the long run,” said Keenan Aylwin, peer engagement coordinator with the Gilbert Centre.

Meanwhile, construction crews continue work to clear debris and brush at the former encampment site. The City hasn’t confirmed how long cleanup efforts will take or the total cost, which is expected to be millions.

With files from CTV’s Luke Simard