Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
Region of Durham Logo
Contact Us
Engage
  • Living Here
    • 311 – Connecting you to our services
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Age-Friendly Durham
    • Animal Services and Control
    • Climate, Energy and Resilience
    • Conservation Authorities
    • Counselling
    • Crime Prevention and Public Safety
    • Early Learning and Child Care
    • Education and Schools
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Emergency Services
    • Emergency Social Services
    • Food Banks
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Libraries
    • Living with Low-Income
    • Long Term Care and Adult Day Programs
    • View More...
    View our Garbage and Recycling page

    Garbage and Recycling

    View our My Property page

    My Property

    View our Roads and Traffic page

    Roads and Traffic

  • Discovering Durham
    • About Durham Region
    • Arts and Culture
    • Bike Month
    • Cycling and Walking
    • E-mobility
    • Local Food and Farmers' Markets
    • Maps
    • New to Durham Region
    • Parks, Trails and Conservation Areas
    • Spectator Sports
    • Sport Tourism
    • Sports and Recreation
    • Tourism
    • Tourism Festival and Events Calendar
    • Transportation and Transit
    View our Tourism page

    Tourism

    View our Tourism Festival and Events calendar

    Tourism Festival and Events Calendar

    View our Transportation and Transit page

    Transportation and Transit

  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • As-Built Drawing Request
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Business Directory
    • Business Count
    • Community Social Investment Framework
    • Construction and Your Business
    • Construction Liens
    • Design and Construction Specifications
    • Economic Development
    • Events
    • Garbage and Recycling Collection on Private Property
    • Housing
    • Municipal Consent
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Planning and Development
    • Public Health Inspections for Businesses
    • Purchasing
    • Project Reports, Studies and Plans
    View our Agriculture page

    Agriculture

    View our Business Directory page

    Business Directory

    View our Purchasing page

    Purchasing

  • Health and Wellness
    • Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and Smoking
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Child Health and School-Age Children
    • Clinics and Classes Calendar
    • COVID-19 Update
    • Domestic Violence
    • Dental and Oral Health
    • Environment and Your Health
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Check-Up, Performance Reports and Health Plans
    • Health Information Services
    • Healthy Living
    • Illness, Infection and Disease
    • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Mental Health
    • MPOX
    • Pregnancy
    • Public Health Inspections and Investigations
    • View More...
    Launch the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker

    COVID-19 Data Tracker

    View our Health Care Professionals page

    Health Care Professionals

    View our Report Immunizations Online page

    Report Immunizations Online

  • Regional Government
    • A to Z Services
    • Access to Information
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Awards
    • Bill 23
    • Budget and Financial
    • By-Laws
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • CityStudio Durham
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
    • Contact Us
    • Court and Traffic Tickets (Provincial Offences)
    • COVID-19 Information and Resources
    • COVID-19 Recovery Framework and Action Plan
    • Departments
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Durham Region 101
    • Durham Region Strategic Plan
    • View More...
    View our Council page

    Council

    View our Open Data page

    Open Data

    View our Regional Services map

    Regional Services

I'd Like To...

Apply or Register For

  • Applications, Licences and Permits
  • Bidding Opportunities
  • Careers and Volunteering
  • Freedom of Information Request
  • Housing

Learn About

  • A to Z Services
  • Being New to Durham Region
  • Budget
  • By-Laws
  • Council
  • Durham Region Transit
  • Public Health Inspections

Report an Issue

  • By-Law Infraction
  • Downed Sign
  • Health Protection Complaint
  • Illegal Dumping
  • Missed Garbage or Recycling Pickup
View our Twitter Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page view our LinkedIn page

clouds in the sky

Downtown Oshawa Support

HomeLiving HereHousing and HomelessnessDowntown Oshawa Support
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print this page
Share this page
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Housing and Homelessness
    • Accessible (Modified) Housing
    • Apply for Housing
      • Affordable Housing
      • Other Community Housing Providers
      • Seniors' Housing
    • At Home in Durham
    • DASH Login
    • Downtown Oshawa Support
    • Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH)
    • Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation
    • Homeless Supports
      • Emergency Shelters for Victims of Violence
      • Homeless Hubs and Street Outreach
    • Homelessness Coordinated Access System
    • Housing Supports
      • Renter's Toolkit
    • New Housing Projects
    • Regional Review Panel
    • Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing (RGI)
      • Community Housing Properties
    • Resources for Community Housing Providers
  • 311 – Connecting you to our services
  • A to Z Services
  • Accessibility
    • Accessible and Specialized Transit
    • Accessible (Modified) Housing
    • Accessible Pedestrian Crossings
    • Children with Special Needs and Concerns
  • Age-Friendly Durham
    • Virtual Seniors' Learning Series
  • Animal Services and Control
    • Insects, Rodents and Bites
    • Rabies
  • Climate, Energy and Resilience
    • Adaptation and Resilience
    • Greening Regional Operations
    • Low Carbon Pathway
    • Natural Environment
    • Nuclear Generation in Durham
    • Roundtable on Climate Change
  • Conservation Authorities
  • Counselling
    • Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Services
    • Crisis Debriefing
    • Domestic Violence
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Individual, Couple and Family Counselling
  • Crime Prevention and Public Safety
    • Bullying
    • Domestic Violence
    • Elder Abuse
  • Early Learning and Child Care
    • Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)
    • Children with Special Concerns and Needs
    • Data in the Early Years
    • EarlyON Child and Family Centres
    • Finding Quality Child Care
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres
    • Resources for Child Care Professionals
  • Education and Schools
  • Emergency Preparedness
    • Business Preparedness
    • Emergency Alerts
    • Emergency Evacuation Centres
    • Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Plans
    • Know Your Risks
    • Nuclear Preparedness
    • Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets
    • Ready in Durham: Expert Advice
    • Stay in Touch in an Emergency
  • Emergency Services
    • Ambulance and Paramedics
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Community Paramedicine
    • Community Partners
    • Designated Officers
    • Fire
    • Police
    • Public Access to Defibrillators
    • When to Call 911
  • Emergency Social Services
  • Food Banks
  • Libraries
  • Living with Low-Income
    • Canada Learning Bond (RESP)
    • Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)
    • Child Support
    • Credit and Debt Management
    • Dental and Oral Health
    • Disability Tax Credits and Benefits
    • Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH)
    • Durham Community Legal Clinic
    • File Your Taxes
    • Food Banks
    • Housing Outreach, Eviction Prevention and Utility and Rent Arrears Resources
    • Low and No-Cost Banking
    • Low-Cost Internet
    • Low Cost and Subsidized Recreation Programs
    • Tenant Insurance
  • Long Term Care and Adult Day Programs
    • Adult Day Programs
    • Long-Term Care Homes
      • Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (FLTCA)
    • Long-Term Care Homes COVID-19 Update
    • Respite Care
    • Submit a Comment, Concern, or Complaint
    • Volunteer in one of our homes
  • My Property
    • Basement Flooding
    • By-Laws
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Land Development and Land Division
    • Private Wells
    • Permits
    • Property Taxes
    • Sewage and Septic Systems
    • Tree By-Law
    • Water Billing
    • Water Efficiency
  • Ontario Works (Social Assistance)
    • Additional Benefits
    • Emergency Shelters
    • Employment Supports
    • Food Banks
    • Housing, Shelters and Homelessness
    • How to Complete an Income Statement
    • MyBenefits
    • Ontario Works Payment Dates
    • Spousal and Child Support Assistance
    • Supports in the Community
  • Planning for Growth
  • Regional Cycling Plan 2021
  • Roads and Traffic
    • Automated Speed Enforcement
    • Cycling and Walking
    • Depot Locations
    • Durham Vision Zero
      • Crossrides
      • Line Painting
      • Pedestrian Crossovers
    • Parking
    • Red Light Cameras
    • Regional Road Maintenance
    • Regional Roads List
    • Regional Storm Sewers
    • Report an Issue
    • Road and Traffic Safety
    • Road Construction and Closures
    • Road, Filming and Banner Permits
    • Traffic Signals
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Traffic Watch Map
    • Weight Restriction Season
  • Source Water Protection
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water and Sewer
    • About Water
      • York Durham Regional Environmental Lab
      • Fire Flow Testing
    • Backflow Prevention Program
    • Basement Flooding
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Connection Permits
    • Imagine a Day Without Water
    • Lead Service Replacement Program
    • Private Wells
    • Programs and Initiatives
    • Regional Storm Sewers
    • Report a Water Problem
    • Sewer Back Up
    • Wastewater and Sewers
      • Biosolids
    • Water Billing and Rates
    • Water Efficiency
    • Water Meters
    • Water Theft

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.

 Actions taken
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 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.
  • The Task Force hosted a virtual Town Hall for the downtown Oshawa business community on Thursday, September 23. Watch the virtual Town Hall presentation and view the Downtown Oshawa Virtual Town Hall PowerPoint presentation.
  • On Monday, August 23, 2021, a joint statement from Regional Chair John Henry and Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter on downtown Oshawa was released.
 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, May 2022.

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

Receive email updates

Contact Us

Region of Durham logo

Living HereDiscovering DurhamDoing BusinessHealth and WellnessRegional Government

© 2023 Durham Region, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3, Canada, Telephone (within regional limits): 311, Telephone: 905-668-7711, Toll-Free: 1-800-372-1102

HomeTerms of Use and Privacy StatementAccessibilityAccess to InformationCareersA to Z ServicesContact Us
By GHD Digital