Safe ‘n Sound is a non-profit organization founded in 2007, that provides support for homeless people in partnership with community services, and public education and advocacy for homelessness prevention.

On September 30th, City staff received a request from Safe 'n Sound through Grey County to aid in offsetting the direct financial cost of keeping its space on 8th Street East in downtown Owen Sound open for extended hours through the winter season.

Safe 'n Sound would normally close at 3:00 p.m. leaving participants unsupported until approximately 9:00 a.m. when morning programming becomes available through community partners. After the hours of 4:30 p.m. and on weekends 211 is contracted by Grey County to help with possible motel placements where rooms are available.

Safe 'n Sound provides a warm space to rest and contact housing support and access to laundry,washrooms, showers, light food and drinks, with some counselling and health care services.

The financial request will allow Safe 'n Sound to remain open until 10:00 p.m. every day including weekends, from November 14 until the end of March, through the coldest months of the year.

2,427 participants were served by Safe 'n Sound in the months of November through March 2022.

City staff received a breakdown of the total cost for providing extended hours. The additional staff time and food expenses for the entire period is estimated to be $49,473. Grey County has indicated that they will match the funding to cover the remaining half.

The current year’s request of $25,000 can be funded by the estimated year- end surplus.

source: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=35525 and Safe 'n Sound