Downtown Oshawa Support

Home Living Here Housing and HomelessnessDowntown Oshawa Support

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many cities and towns have witnessed an increase of mental health challenges, addictions and housing needs among residents, while local businesses also face additional unprecedented challenges.

A senior staff Task Force has been convened to address the immediate issues happening in downtown Oshawa. This Task Force consists of representatives from Durham Region Social Services, Durham Region Health Department, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), Lakeridge Health, and the City of Oshawa.

The livelihood and health of the downtown Oshawa community is very important. We are working diligently to address the concerns of local residents and businesses, and will continue to share information as it becomes available.

For questions regarding support for the downtown Oshawa community, please contact Business@Oshawa.ca.

The Task Force hosted a virtual Town Hall for the downtown Oshawa business community on Thursday, September 23.
Watch the virtual Town Hall presentation.
View the Downtown Oshawa Virtual Town Hall PowerPoint presentation.

Joint statement from Regional Chair John Henry and Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter on downtown Oshawa

Immediate actions

The Task Force comprises of representatives from Durham Region Social Services, Durham Region Health Department, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), Lakeridge Health, and the City of Oshawa. The following are immediate actions the Task Force is taking:

Reviewing the concentrated support services offered by the Region and community partners; identifying gaps and duplication of services and taking steps to help all involved.
Creating a Community Code of Conduct for recipients of support services and developing a Street Outreach and Encampment Strategy for Durham Region.
Prioritizing street, park and private property clean up.
Working closely with Lakeridge Health on addiction and treatment services through a street outreach team.
Developing an updated local opioid response plan, including reviewing needle distribution.
Continuing DRPS proactive presence.
Proactive enforcement of property standards by-laws.
Working with community agencies to reinforce our commitment to being a housing-focused community by expanding housing first initiatives.
Supporting the City of Oshawa’s work with businesses and residents.
Regular updates on our collective actions taken to end chronic homelessness in Durham by 2024.
Reviewing support services offered by the Region and community partners to identify service gaps.

Supports

Durham Region homelessness funding information.

Housing-focused shelter programs: Durham Region shelter programs are housing-focused, as part of our commitment to end chronic homelessness in our community. Shelter programs also act as Community Access Points to our By-Name List and Coordinated Access System.

Homeless Hubs and Street Outreach: Homeless support hubs provide street outreach support to people experiencing homelessness. With many services in one location, hub models can help people stay connected to available supports, including income and employment support, housing outreach, health services, etc. These hubs also act at Community Access Points for Durham’s By-Name List and Coordinated Access System.

Durham's Quality By-Name List Dashboard, July 2021.

Housing Supports: Housing supports provide help to those who are homeless, trying to find housing, or those with housing that does not meet their needs. Support is also available to individuals being evicted or worried they will be evicted.

Primary Care Outreach Program (PCOP): This program is a partnership between the Durham Region Health Department and Durham Region Social Services. It is a mobile unit that provides outreach services, including mental health support, to vulnerable populations. For more information, contact RMD.PCOP@durham.ca or call 289-979-9428.

John Howard Society of Durham Region – Harm Reduction/Project X-Change: This is a Harm Reduction program dedicated to protecting the public from contamination caused by indiscriminate disposal in public areas and use of infected items. The program provides access to sterile needles and other single-use sterile items, helps with referrals to a variety of services, and shares information.

Strategies and upcoming projects

Homelessness and Housing Support Service System planning in Durham Region: A summary of the scope of work

Durham Region Opioid Response Plan: Status Report, June 2018

Durham’s Homelessness Support and Coordinated Access System

Housing-focused Approach: Many of the Region’s initiatives follow a housing-focused approach, which means programming is related to obtaining permanent housing. Learn about housing-focused shelters from the Canadian Shelter Transformation Network.
New housing-focused shelter standards and a new housing-focused street outreach strategy are being rolled out towards the end of 2021.

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Oshawa Micro-Homes Pilot Project

Revitalization strategy for downtown Oshawa

Respect Gets Respect Workshop Summary

Groups

Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security & Well-Being - City of Oshawa: This Task Force was formed to identify and propose opportunities to address community safety, security and well-being issues facing the City of Oshawa.

Durham Region Homelessness System Survey

A System Planning Committee, facilitated by OrgCode Consulting, Inc., is working to improve the homelessness and housing support system in Durham Region. As part of this project, the Committee would appreciate your feedback via the Durham Region Homelessness System Survey. This survey is open to all and is anonymous.