Lucy, I’m home.

More than a few people moving onto the site of the former Barr’s Motel property — recently renamed Lucy’s Place in honour of a woman who died while living on Barrie’s streets in 2014 — may utter that phrase soon. The $2.5-million affordable-housing complex on Essa Road is expected to welcome its first six tenants April 29. Another six will arrive shortly after that.

The site will give chronically homeless individuals with mental health and addiction challenges dignified and safe accommodation.

“One of the biggest barriers to ending homelessness in Barrie is a lack of affordable housing stock,” Redwood Park Communities communications director Jennifer van Gennip said. “This project is creating much-needed new units in a way that prioritizes our city's hardest-to-house, highest-need individuals.”

The project was initially scheduled to open in early February. However, work was often hampered by the winter weather, she said.

Lucy’s Place features a common room with a kitchen, lounge area and fireplace. There are meeting and laundry rooms, furnished apartments for single residents and couples, and two accessible units.

A separate house on the property will be converted into six suites for people living with second-stage addiction issues. That element is still under construction.

There is room to construct several tiny houses on the property.

This project is based on the Housing First approach to ending homelessness, which prioritizes the need to get a roof over someone’s head. Once that source of stress is relieved, a person can focus on other areas of their life.

There is involvement between the Ontario government, County of Simcoe, Barrie, Redwood Park Communities and David Busby Centre.