Emergency Shelter Programs
You can stay at an emergency shelter throughout the year if you have lost your housing and have no other place to stay. The Regional Municipality of Durham does not have emergency housing other than through the emergency shelters.
If you are fleeing family violence or abuse, there is support available for you.
Please note: when temperatures are expected to drop below minus 15 degrees Celsius, or if severe winter conditions are anticipated during the next 24 to 36 hours, the Region puts in place its Cold Weather Response Protocol. Emergency shelters are allowed to expand their services. These expanded services may include increasing bed space by using cots, mats and hotel rooms, and staying open during the day.
The Region is not able to guarantee space at the shelters. You will need to call the shelter for information about staying there.
If you see or know someone in need of immediate emergency shelter, call 9-1-1.
Some area municipalities open warming stations/centres during periods of extreme cold. You can contact your municipality to see if there are any warming stations/centres open in your area.
Find a shelter for you
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Are you a single man, a single man with children, or a couple with children? |
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Cornerstone Community Association is an emergency shelter for single men. Cornerstone also has a motel program for single men with children in their care or couples with children in their care. Telephone: 905-433-0254 ext. 228 |
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Are you a single woman or a single woman with children? |
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Muslim Welfare Home is an emergency shelter for single women and women with children. Muslim Welfare Home also has a motel program for women with male children older than 13 and women with physical disabilities who are not able to access the shelter. Telephone: 905-665-0424 |
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Are you a youth aged 16 to 24? |
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DYHSS (Durham Youth Housing and Support Services) Joanne's House is an emergency shelter for youth aged 16 to 24. Telephone: 905-239-9477 |
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Are you a senior with medical needs who can't access a shelter? |
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Cornerstone Community Association has a motel program for seniors with extraordinary medical needs that cannot be accommodated in an emergency shelter. Personal Support Worker (PSW) services and meals are provided. Telephone: 905-433-0254 ext. 228 |
| Transportation help to access a shelter |
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Housing outreach/eviction prevention agencies can provide transportation help (bus tickets, etc.) to individuals/families experiencing homelessness, so they can access a shelter. Please note that this help is provided during business hours only. For transportation help, after business hours, please contact the police at 1-888-579-1520.
Ajax-Pickering: Community Development Council Durham Telephone: 905-686-2661 (or toll-free at 1-866-746-3696)
Clarington: John Howard Society Telephone: 905-623-6814
Oshawa-Whitby: John Howard Society Telephone: 905-579-8482
Scugog-Brock: North House Telephone: 705-432-8654 (or toll-free at 1-877-406-8723) |
Emergency Shelters for victims of violence
Women and children fleeing violence or abuse
If you are a single woman or a woman with children fleeing violence or abuse, you can go to a Violence Against Women (VAW) shelter. These shelters provide safety and support for women and have many services for victims of abuse. There are many resources for women who have experienced abuse in Durham Region. If you have experienced domestic abuse from a spouse or family member you are living with or have recently lived with, you can apply for Special Priority status.
Contact the Violence Against Women shelters for information about bed availability:
| Oshawa |
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Telephone: 1-800-263-3725 Telephone: 905-576-6743 |
| Clarington |
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Telephone: 1-800-338-3397 |
| Ajax/Pickering |
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Telephone: 1-866-437-4066 |
Men and children fleeing violence or abuse
If you are a single man or a man with children fleeing violence or abuse, you can go to Cornerstone Community Association. Cornerstone can provide shelter for men who need support to leave an abusive relationship. There are resources for men who have experienced abuse in Durham Region.
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