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Homeowners issued 'unsafe orders' in tornado zone could receive property tax credit

Barrie & District Association of Realtors working with Red Cross to match short-term rentals with families displaced by the tornado
BarrieToday Staff
BarrieTornado-Day5-July19-2021-5 (1)
A group of teenagers pitch in with the clean-up effort on Monday morning after a tornado ripped through the south end of Barrie on July 15. Kevin Lamb for BarrieToday

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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The City of Barrie continues to support residents affected by the tornado last week. Below is the latest information and resources to assist residents with recovery.

City building officials will remain onsite at the city’s information centre located in the trailer near St. Gabriel’s school (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) until Friday to help facilitate resident inquires. Starting Saturday, July 24, residents who have questions can call the tornado assistance line at 705-728-8442 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or email [email protected]. 

Homes that have Unsafe Orders may receive a credit for a portion of the 2021 property taxes, following an adjustment to the assessed value of the property as calculated by MPAC. The city’s finance department will reach out to the affected residents directly. As residents begin to rebuild, the city will waive all building permit fees for homes affected by the tornado.  

Today, representatives from the province toured the tornado recovery site to determine if Barrie qualifies for Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance. Once the city has more details, it will be shared at barrie.ca/TornadoRecovery.  

Barrie & District Association of Realtors is working with the Red Cross to match short-term rentals with families who have been displaced by the tornado. Please email [email protected] for assistance.

Service Ontario is offering the replacement of select documentation for those affected by the tornado. Please bring any identification or documentation that you may have available to prove ownership (e.g. licence plate number, insurance, Vehicle Identification Number) or application (e.g. account access) to a Service Ontario location. If you have no documentation, please go to a Service Ontario location and they will do their best to assist you.

Tree chipping in the tornado recovery area will occur on Monday, July 26 and Tuesday, July 27. Residents are asked to bring tree debris to the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday, July 26. The contractor will only be able to remove tree debris that is at the curb.

The city is asking residents from other parts of the city to not tour the tornado recovery area, so those affected can clean up their properties.

Reminder: Tomorrow (July 22), curbside collection will occur in the tornado recovery area. This week is recycling pick-up for residents in this area; however, the city’s curbside collection contractor will assist in picking up bagged garbage (that meets weight criteria) at the curb. For affected residents, fees will be waived at the landfill until July 23. Affected residents are encouraged to continue to use the large public bins located in the area or along the park frontage of Coronation Parkway. The city plans to remove these bins on Monday, July 26.

Ongoing public information about the situation and resources are posted on our website at barrie.ca/TornadoRecovery. Please also follow the city’s social media channels for updates.

Community Event

Healing After Trauma: Regaining Your Mental Health After A Disaster

Date: July 22, 5 to 7 p.m.

Location: Outside St. Gabriel’s school (130 Prince William Way)

This event will bring together New Path Youth & Family Services, Catholic Family Services and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. For details, visit the city’s Events Calendar. 

Additional Resources:

  • Tornado assistance line for affected residents: 705-728-8442
  • Service Barrie: 705-726-4242 (press zero after hours)
  • Email [email protected] if you wish to be added to a list to offer assistance/donations
  • Ontario SPCA support for anyone who needs temporary housing or food for their animal:
    310-SPCA (7722)
  • Barrie Public Library Painswick branch: offering computers, free wi-fi and laptops that can be borrowed in-branch for anyone that needs internet and computer access
  • Red Cross number for residents directly affected: 289-206-8275
  • Barrie Salvation Army Tornado Assistance: barriesalvationarmy.org
  • Ontario 211: Community and Social Services: call 2-1-1 or visit https://infobarrie.cioc.ca/
  • Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County: cmhastarttalking.ca
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca
  • Victim Services: 705-725-7028 ext. 2120 (After Hours Only: 1-866-923-3938)

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