The County of Simcoe is seeking submissions from qualified and experienced vendors.  Only online submissions will be accepted for this opportunity.

Request for Proposal No. 2022-092

For: DESIGN BUILD OF A TEMPORARY HOMELESS SHELTER FACILITY

The County of Simcoe is the service manager for the system of homelessness prevention services and supports for communities in Simcoe County, including the cities of Barrie and Orillia. In this role, the County of Simcoe provides leadership, oversight and funding to support the delivery of homelessness prevention services and supports through contracted service agreements with local homeless service providers.

As a direct response to the pandemic, the County of Simcoe implemented temporary motel shelter models in communities within Simcoe County, in alignment with public health recommendations to protect the health of homeless individuals during the pandemic. The number of homeless individuals in the County of Simcoe has increased since the onset of the pandemic.  An increased number of individuals are accessing homeless shelter services and an increased number of individuals are living unsheltered. The local increase in homelessness is a trend that is also reflected provincially and nationally. The Simcoe County 2022 Homeless Enumeration identified 722 homeless individuals in Simcoe County, with close to 50% of homeless individuals residing in the City of Barrie. 

Aligned with the province’s Reopening Ontario Act, the County of Simcoe is closing the remaining two temporary motel shelter models as of July 31, 2022, including the remaining model in the City of Barrie. The County of Simcoe has worked with the system of funded homeless shelter service providers to maximize and reposition all available space in regular congregate shelter settings to increase the number of available shelter beds.  This enhanced shelter bed capacity does not presently accommodate all individuals transitioning from the temporary motel shelter.

The County of Simcoe is planning a large scale affordable housing development in the City of Barrie. This affordable housing project is in the early stages of development on land acquired by the County of Simcoe for this future use. A section of the 5 acre site located at 20 Rose Street in Barrie can be made available for the purposes of installing a modular dormitory complex with an intended initial use to temporarily increase homeless shelter capacity and, may be considered for future permanent use as a transitional housing model. Hydro, water, and sewer infrastructure is available at the property line.

The scope of this opportunity is the design and construction of: 

• 1 temporary structure/building containing 50 dormitory units (bedrooms) with single and double occupancy via 1 single bed or 1 set of bunkbeds per room for a total of 50 sleeping spaces, one central kitchen minimally equipped with major appliances including fridges and stoves for use by up to 50 people, and six (6) private 3 piece washrooms, a common space and office space in the building.

OR 

• 2 temporary structure/buildings containing 25 dormitory units (bedrooms) each with single and double occupancy via 1 single bed or 1 set of bunkbeds per room for a total of 50 sleeping spaces, a central kitchen in each building minimally equipped with major appliances including fridges and stoves for us by up to 25 people, and three (3) private 3 piece washrooms, a common space and office space in each building.

OR 

• Another solution that meets the County’s needs as described.

As outlined above, the dormitory units (bedrooms) will be fully furnished with single beds or bunk beds as appropriate to accommodate up to 50 individuals, with storage solutions such as 1 or 2 dressers/wardrobe depending on single or double occupancy. The common room(s) in the buildings will include both comfortable living room type seating and tables with chairs for dining.

Units shall be designed with the intent that they can be disassembled, moved and reused in future or considered for permanent housing.

The site plan and design shall be brought to the County for final approval and sign off before permits are sought. 

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE - The timing of occupancy is a key consideration and the County will consider all options including new buildings and/or repurposed modular units of varying construction types and materials. A key objective is to secure an operational modular dormitory unit or two units as described within this opportunity as soon as possible and well in advance of winter months. As such the latest date for Occupancy is November 15^th, 2022 or as otherwise agreed to by the Parties in the case of events agreed to be out of the Proponent’s Control.  

The Successful Proponent will be responsible for site plan design and approvals, engineering design, all permits and approvals, insurance, required site preparation, construction, water and wastewater connections to city services or other solutions such as holding tanks, appropriate HVAC systems, and hydro connections water, wastewater, and hydro connections for the units. Units should be provided as turn key for occupancy.