Grey County is expanding its Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) program in Owen Sound with new federal funding that will run through March 2026.
Paramedic Services Director Kevin McNab received council approval to use the additional funds toward outreach in the downtown River District.
"What it will do is support a navigator program in the City of Owen Sound to have two navigators on seven days a week to support people," added McNab. "It will also support treatment space at Safe 'N Sound for SOS."
The downtown navigator program will be led by Safe ‘N Sound, a community organization already active in providing supports to people experiencing homelessness and addiction.
The new positions will help connect marginalized and unhoused individuals with appropriate services, while also responding to concerns raised by local businesses about substance use and safety in the area.Two teams of two staff will patrol the downtown and operate a phone-based response service to assist both residents and business owners.
"To be able to connect them to supports, and to meet their needs. Also the big thing to be aware of are those referrals. But they could do a number of different things. They can do sharps clean up," he continued. "The big thing is helping those community members. We help them and ultimately that helps everybody."
McNab said the expansion builds on work already underway through the SOS program, which was launched in 2021 in response to the opioid crisis and rising homelessness.
“The Supportive Outreach Services program provides compassionate, community-based care to vulnerable populations,” the report states. “Its goal is to reduce overdoses and opioid-related deaths through harm reduction and holistic support.”
The new funding—totalling $432,400—will also support materials and supplies for clients and contribute to the creation of a dedicated space within Safe ‘N Sound to help connect clients and outreach staff.
"Clothes. We're getting waterproof boots. We've seen a lot of medical concerns around wet feet for people that live outside if they don't have waterproof boots," McNab explained. "Coats, supplies and food. There are tents and sleeping bags for people that are living outside."
McNab’s report notes that the funding “is being implemented through the fall” and that “no additional or matching contribution is needed” from the County.
The navigator pilot will begin in mid-October and run until March 2026.
