Construction on a new $3 million dollar short-term supported family housing project is about to get underway in Barrie. Redwood Park Communities is building a two-storey building with 12 fully furnished, two-bedroom apartments for families in housing crisis, on Salvation Army owned property on Lillian Crescent.

“Some families that get evicted or lose their housing and have nowhere to go require supports to work through barriers and issues to stay permanently housed. Our case managers work with the individual families to make sure they don’t end up back in the same place in a few months,” said Captain Stephanie Watkinson of the Salvation Army Bayside Mission.

It’s a unique partnership to address a specific problem in Barrie – inadequate housing for families who find themselves homeless.

The Salvation Army Bayside Mission will take care of all case management and programming. Redwood CEO Tim Kent says they will take care of the building – which was funded by a $3 Million capital fundraising campaign. “Each time we do a housing project, I’m overwhelmed by the support of the people and businesses of Barrie, and this project has been no exception,” said Tim Kent, Redwood’s CEO. “The people in this city recognize the need for affordable housing, and I think there is a realization that it is more than a charitable donation, it is an investment in our community.”

Rendering of the new two storey short term housing building on Lillian Crescent.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 28th. Construction is expected to take 18 months, with completion slated for late 2020 or early 2021.