As of March 2, 2026, the City of Barrie, Ontario, has identified 653 people who are currently living without a home. This information comes as part of an update on the local housing crisis and ongoing efforts to manage public spaces across the community.
Officials report that as of March 9, 2026, there are no longer any known tent encampments remaining on land owned by the city. Although these sites have been cleared, city staff continue to keep an eye on several locations to monitor the situation and ensure public safety.
Since a state of emergency was first declared on September 9, 2025, the city has dealt with 100 different encampment locations. From those sites, 73 people were successfully moved into local shelters or permanent housing through the help of community partners as of early 2026.
The city also runs a shuttle service for people being released from the Central North Correctional Centre to help them return to their home communities. This program has helped 777 people find a way home instead of being released directly onto the streets in Barrie.
