New Housing Projects
Durham Region has an urgent need for affordable housing and supportive housing.
In June 2023, Durham Regional Council approved funding for a Whitby-based site; a chance to support those who are vulnerable in our community. As a former long-term care home, this site is an ideal location for wrap-around supports.
In July 2020, Durham Regional Council voted to expedite the development of two new projects to help address the needs of Durham’s unsheltered residents; needs that were highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis: a modular housing project in Beaverton, and a micro-homes pilot project in Oshawa.
Learn about the:
1635 Dundas: Meeting immediate and long-term needs to Durham citizens without a home
Durham Region welcomed the first occupants to 1635 Dundas Street East shelter on March 20, 2024.
The Region purchased 1635 Dundas as part of the system of supports across the Durham to help address the urgent need for housing and services. This low barrier shelter will help to provide immediate solutions that will help people who need it most.
The building provides 45 shelter beds to help meet our community’s need. It will remain open during the day, allowing people to stay inside and work toward their goals.
Christian Faith Outreach centre (CFOC) is the service provider for the shelter and was selected through a comprehensive Expression of Interest process.
Here are some key details about 1635 Dundas:
- The shelter will follow established shelter best practices. Wraparound supports at the site will be in place, and the indoor environment allows for a full range of programming.
- Future phases of 1635 Dundas will be informed by community engagement and the Community Liaison Committee.
- A full list of Frequently Asked Questions, related documents and reports, project details and videos can be found on Your Durham.
Check out this virtual tour of 1635 Dundas:
Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing
Life circumstances—such as family breakdown, abuse, job loss, addictions or mental health challenges—can bring someone to be in crisis, without a place to call home. This happens to people in cities and in smaller communities. When this happens, people need support and they need shelter.
The Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing residence is a 47-unit modular housing development that provides accommodation and access to wraparound services to help promote life stabilization. Incorporated into the residence is a new service hub, to facilitate the delivery of services to those residing in north Durham.
The Regional Municipality of Durham selected Blue Door as the service operator for the residence, through a comprehensive Expression of Interest process. Wraparound services may include:
- On-site meals in a dining hall
- Mental health and addictions support
- Medical and dental care (virtual and/or on-site)
- Financial assistance such as Ontario Works, ODSP and/or other financial benefits
- Rental and tenant support
- Life skills teaching/counselling
- Employment services
These on-site services allow for people to get the assistance they need, close to home. This helps to improve their overall quality of life and increases opportunities for success.
Priority access for Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing is given to unsheltered residents or those at risk of homelessness in north Durham—including individuals from the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge—who require this level of service. Move-in is expected to begin in 2024, with residents being phased in gradually over time.
This project is aligned with provincial priorities; and has been approved funding under the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) towards construction costs.
OrgCode Consulting, Inc. was retained by the Region of Durham to provide an objective and independent study of the new supportive housing development. View the Beaverton Supportive Housing Suitability Study.
For more information, contact SocialServices@durham.ca.
What does Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing look like?
Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing is designed to complement the surrounding community and provide residents of the building with both indoor and outdoor amenity space. The design has won both national and international awards, including the 2021 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence.
The surrounding buildings and local architecture have been considered in the design of the Supportive Housing buildings. Sloped roofs provide a residential feel and a distinctive yet contextual development that blends with adjacent buildings. The exterior finishes include simple and natural materials, selected to provide a durable, tactile, and attractive design.
The Region of Durham is committed to protecting the environment through leadership in sustainability and addressing climate change. This development is designed to run on solar energy and electric power to help reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Sustainability components of this design include on-demand/tankless electric water heaters, a tighter envelope seal and higher R-value to reduce energy consumption, and solar panels on the roof to help offset electricity costs.
Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing Community Liaison Committee
On December 16, 2020, Durham Regional Council endorsed the creation of the Beaverton Supportive Housing Liaison Committee. Its purpose: to share information; while identifying issues, concerns and mitigation strategies that will assist in the successful integration of this project, and its residents, into the broader community.
On April 15, 2021, representatives from the Brock community were invited to serve on the Beaverton Supportive Housing Liaison Committee. It was a chance to provide valuable input into this important project.
Note: this committee is not involved in the day-to-day operation of the building or the resident in-take process. Instead, their insight is used to inform decision-making.
Terms of Reference |
The Beaverton Supportive Housing Liaison Committee Terms of Reference |
Meetings |
The next meeting of the Beaverton Supportive Housing Liaison Committee will be held on:
Monday, August 12, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Read our latest meeting minutes (minutes are released after approval at the subsequent committee meeting):
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Frequently Asked Questions
Watch our Q&A video series with Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services
Why was Beaverton selected as the location for this transitional supportive housing residence? |
The Beaverton Supportive Transitional Housing is not just a made-in-Durham solution—it is a made-in-north-Durham solution. There is a lack of supports and services in north Durham. This development will provide opportunities for those living on-site, as well as anyone in the north Durham community, to access needed community resources locally. The calm setting of Beaverton offers a place to feel secure, supported and part of a community. The building is located on Regional land at 121 Nine Mile Rd., Beaverton, which is beside Lakeview Manor long-term care home. This location offers the opportunity for the Region of Durham to identify cost savings through shared resources. |
Is supportive housing the same as a shelter or mental health facility? |
Supportive housing means housing with supports—where residents have 24/7 access to on-site services and supports. This is not a shelter or a mental health facility. |
Who will live in this development? |
Priority will be given to individuals who reside in north Durham/have ties to north Durham; are homeless or at risk of homelessness; and require the level of supports provided on site. Each person will consent to living at this location. They must also enter into a jointly developed Participation Agreement to support a plan towards life stabilization and transition to permanent housing. This type of occupancy is excluded from the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). Occupancy is restricted to one person per unit. |
How do I put my name on the list for housing at the Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing residence? |
Intake for the Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing residence will be coordinated through the Region’s homelessness support service network. If you are homeless, please reach out to existing homelessness supports in Durham. |
Living in the north is a lot different than the south. How will you keep residents from feeling isolated both physically and emotionally? |
The project will focus on working with residents; creating an intentional community to combat isolation and foster a healthy, safe home for everyone. The establishment of a Residents’ Committee will give residents a strong role in shaping their community. |
I’ve heard, through the media, of issues with temporary homeless shelters. What precautions are being taken to ensure those same issues don’t happen here? |
While this building is not a temporary homeless shelter, resident issues—such as mental health, addiction or violence—could be a reality. The Region of Durham recognizes that all issues cannot be avoided. We have a plan to address these situations should they arise. Support will be available to residents on a 24/7 basis to mitigate or eliminate these issues. Our goal is to set these residents up for success. |
Who is the service operator for Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing? |
The Regional Municipality of Durham has selected Blue Door as the service operator for the Beaverton Transitional Supportive Housing residence, through a comprehensive Expression of Interest process. With experience launching, operating, and scaling four transitional supportive housing programs, Blue Door is a long-standing registered charity that offers more than 10 innovative and collaborative housing, employment and health programs aimed at addressing the root causes of homelessness. |
What services are available to residents of the building and what services are available to the larger north Durham community? |
Durham Region has established an Advisory Committee. This includes representatives from agencies serving the north, which will help to inform the on-site supports. The Region will continue to consult with the north Durham community, to determine community gaps/needs for services. |
Are residents required to take part in/make use of all the services provided? |
Residents living in the development are required to enter into a Participation Agreement that supports life stabilization. Each agreement is specific to the individual needs of each resident. |
What transit will be available? |
With supports provided on-site, there will be minimal need for individuals to go elsewhere for services. When needed, on-demand transportation can be used. On Demand services were expanded to Brock Township in 2019 by Durham Region Transit (DRT) to ensure the public transit network in Durham Region is a viable option for residents, regardless of where they live. On Demand is a flexible and convenient option to help you connect to scheduled service or take you where you want to go when scheduled service isn’t an option. Taking On Demand is easy:
DRT also offers Specialized Services for customers who do not have the ability to use scheduled service (eligibility requirements apply). To see a complete list of scheduled service routes, visit Our Services. Stay up-to-date on DRT service–including On Demand–by visiting the Planning your travel page of durhamregiontransit.com. DRT booking agents are also happy to answer any questions you may have. Call 1-866-247-0055 to learn more. |
How will residents get to stores for things like groceries or medicine? |
Meals will be provided to tenants on-site, and pharmacy delivery will be available. With supports provided on-site, there will be minimal need for individuals to go elsewhere. When and where needed, on-demand transportation will be used. There will also be a shared dining/kitchen area that will allow residents to come together, rather than being in isolation from one another. |
What policing/security will be provided? |
Security features have been designed into the building. A security guard will also be on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security measures will be reviewed again after the first year of operation. The Region will also monitor and evaluate demand for policing and paramedic services. This information will be used to inform resource allocation and service delivery. |
Where will residents receive medical care, with limited doctors available in north Durham? |
The Region’s health-care partners are always working to make health care access a priority in north Durham, as the area continues to experience growth. We continue to work together to find new ways of offering services. |
Oshawa micro-homes pilot project
The micro-homes pilot project in central Oshawa features 10 units for temporary, transitional housing with supports.
The micro-home units are located on land acquired by the Region for the Gibb Street and Olive Avenue road realignment and widening project at the corner of Olive Avenue and Drew Street. Once the scheduled road work commences, the units will be relocated to a more permanent site.
The micro-home units were manufactured indoors and brought to the site for final installation.
This project was approved by Regional Council for expedited development on July 29, 2020 due to an urgent need for affordable and supportive housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is transitional housing with supports? |
Transitional housing is supportive, yet temporary, accommodation meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing. It offers structure, supports, life skills, and education and training. The Oshawa Micro-Homes Pilot Project is time-limited, transitional housing. Residents enter into a Participation Agreement, as opposed to signing a lease, which means occupancy can be time-limited and tied in with participation in the program. |
Where are the micro-home units located? |
The micro-home units are located on Regionally owned land in central Oshawa, on a parcel fronting Olive Avenue to the south, Drew Street to the east and Banting Avenue to the north. This land was acquired by the Region as part of the Gibb Street and Olive Avenue road realignment and widening project. This location will be available until the realignment project starts in approximately five years, at which time the homes will be relocated to a permanent location. The permanent location has yet to be determined. |
Why was this site selected for this project? |
Due to the immediate need for housing and the timing of the road realignment project, this Regionally owned land provided an opportunity to develop this pilot project. The land is ideal for micro-homes because it is already serviced; allows for a configuration that provides for optimal unit servicing; minimizes exterior walls for operating efficiency; provides better privacy and security for tenants; and has excellent access to public transit. |
What is the design of the micro-home development? |
There are 10 micro-home units in two clusters of five units. The units are modular and were manufactured indoors, then brought to the site for final installation on foundations pre-constructed on the site. The configuration includes a servicing area at the rear of each cluster to bundle servicing such as hydro, water, sewer and telecommunications services. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the units do not utilize any gas-fired appliances. Below is the preliminary site layout: Below are images of the units:
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What supports does the Oshawa Micro-Homes Pilot Project have? |
Supports, provided by local agencies, are tailored to each resident’s needs. This may include case management, financial assistance, employment services, mental health and addictions supports, life skills teaching and more. |
How are people selected to live in this development? |
Micro Homes Participant Handbook The Region is working with the Health, Homelessness and Housing Committee (H3), a sub-committee of the Durham Advisory Committee on Homelessness (DACH), to address the eligibility, intake process and ongoing supports needed for the Oshawa Micro-Homes Pilot Project. The units are single occupancy. The Region is using the By-Name List, which is a list of people currently experiencing homelessness in Durham Region, to help match residents who will benefit most from this pilot. Community partners will continue to support them with case management to promote a safe, stable and supportive community. By matching the right supports with stable housing, the Region aims to move forward to end chronic homelessness in our community. |
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