Shelters, Warming Centres and Cooling Locations
Shelters, Warming Centres and Cooling Locations
The Region of Durham is legislated by the province of Ontario as a Service System Manager for Housing and Homelessness and designated by the federal government as the Community Entity.
Emergency shelter programs in Durham Region can help you if you don’t have any other place to stay. Funded homeless shelter programs are housing-focused, as part of Durham Region’s plan to address homelessness in our community.
For help with homelessness Support, you can connect:Email: Homelesshelp@Durham.ca
Phone: 905-668-4113 extension 5510
Toll free: 1-800-372-1102 extension 5510
311 - extension 5510
Shelter programs also act as Community Access Points to our By-Name List and Coordinated Access System.
Victims of gender-based violence or trafficking who need supports or emergency accommodation have more than one option:- Call Victim Services at 905-721-4226 or Ontario Works in Whitby at 905-666-6239 during business hours.
- Visit the web page Victims of Domestic Violence to access a shelter to accommodate your needs and safety.
* New homelessness shelter and hub in Ajax at 130 Commercial Avenue *
- Due to increasing need across our communities, the Region of Durham is expanding emergency shelter space across the region. In Ajax, a 24/7 emergency shelter and Hub will open at 130 Commercial Avenue in early December to bring unsheltered residents indoors.
- The new space will provide immediate indoor space for individuals living in Ajax encampments, connecting them to wraparound supports and long-term housing solutions.
- This facility will reduce visible street homelessness and foster a sense of security for residents and businesses.
| Project overview |
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| Encampment transition |
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| Council approval |
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| Community benefits |
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| Common questions |
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What is the difference between a shelter, a warming centre and a hub?
What is a crisis care facility?
Who will operate the site?
What supports will be available on-site?
Why here? Why Ajax?
Will people from outside Ajax come here?
Will this increase crime or safety issues?
How will this impact property values?
Why not invest in housing instead?
What are the details of your Housing and Homelessness Servicing and Financing Strategy?
What happens if you are at capacity and people are onsite seeking support? Do they get turned away or sent to another location?
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Emergency shelter locations in Durham Region
The Durham Shelter Standards set out clear expectations and guidelines for all Regionally funded emergency shelters. Developed collaboratively with service providers, people with lived experience, and regional staff, these standards ensure high-quality, inclusive, and coordinated shelter services across Durham Region. The standards focus on dignity, safety, and long-term solutions, supporting a Housing First approach that helps individuals and families move from homelessness to stable housing. Shelters are required to provide trauma-informed care, uphold principles of equity and accessibility, and maintain safe, welcoming environments for all patrons. Continuous improvement and accountability are at the heart of the standards, helping to build a supportive system that safeguards the health, rights, and well-being of everyone accessing shelter services in Durham.
| Ajax |
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CFOC - Doors of Compassion 158 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax, Ontario L1S 2H6 Intake phone: 365-885-3018 Site phone: 905-619-2670 Email: info@cfoc.ca Criteria: Co-ed, no pets Capacity: 17 beds
CFOC - Doors of Compassion Address: Sales Pavilion at Ajax Plaza 27 Station Street (Southwest corner of Harwood Avenue South and Station Street.) Intake phone: 365-885-5174 Site Phone: 289-923-2360 Email: info@cfoc.ca Criteria: Co-ed, dog friendly Capacity: 30 beds
Durham Youth Services 82 Kings Crescent, Ajax, Ontario L1S 2M6 Phone: 905-239-9477 Email: contact@durhamyouth.com Criteria: Youth ages 16 to 24 years old, no pets Capacity: 10 beds |
| Oshawa |
| Address: 133 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 4G8
Phone: 905-433-0254 or 1-844-433-0254 Fax: 905-433-2363 Email: GeneralInquiry@CornerstoneDurham.com Criteria: Single men, men with children, couples with children, seniors with extraordinary medical needs that cannot be accommodated in an emergency shelter, no pets Capacity: 40 beds |
| Whitby |
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Christian Faith Outreach Centre (CFOC) - Doors of Compassion 1635 Dundas Shelter 1635 Dundas Street East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 2K9 Intake phone: 365-885-3173 Email: docintake@cfoc.ca Criteria: Co-ed, dog friendly Capacity: 45 beds 1635 Dundas site inquiries Security & Facility inquiries phone: 905-723-9149 Email: 1635security@durham.ca
Muslim Welfare Home 425 Dundas Street East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 2J2 Phone: 905-665-0424 or 1-866-666-1115 Email: muslimwelfarecentre@gmail.com Criteria: Single women, single women with children (boys under 12), no pets Capacity: 45 beds |
Durham Region Winter Warming
The Region of Durham has a Winter Warming Plan to provide safe shelter for those without housing during the coldest months. In partnership with the local area municipalities, the Region operates winter warming locations across Durham from December 1 through March 31.
The Durham Region Health Department issues Extreme Cold Weather Alerts when temperatures are expected to drop to -15°C or colder, or when the wind chill reaches -20 or below. When these alerts are active, regionally funded emergency shelters increase their capacity by adding extra mats, cots and safe spaces. If needed, motels and hotels may also be used to ensure no one is left out in the cold. During these times, shelters also stay open throughout the day to provide a warm, safe environment.
Shelter is a basic human need. When someone enters a shelter or connects with an outreach program, they receive personalized support needed to achieve stable housing. Every Regional service, resource, and tool aims to help individuals and families move forward, exit the shelter and secure a safe, permanent home.
If there is someone in your community who needs access to shelter or a warming centre, you can call 311, extension 5510 or email homelesshelp@durham.ca to reach the Street Outreach team.
In partnership with local area municipalities, Durham Region operates warming centres that provide temporary shelter during cold weather, protecting people experiencing homelessness from hypothermia. Throughout winter, the Region may also expand the family motel programs, increasing the number of rooms available for families in need.
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Female sole support parents |
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Muslim Welfare Home Phone: 905-665-0424 or 1-866-666-1115 |
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Male sole support parents and couples with children |
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Cornerstone Phone: 905-433-0254 or 1-844-433-0254 |
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Youth aged 16 to 24 years |
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CFOC - Doors of Compassion/The Refuge The Refuge Gym Address: 357 Simcoe Street Hours: 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Criteria: Youth aged 16 to 24 years, all genders Capacity: 10 cots Opening date: December 1, 2025 |
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Ajax |
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CFOC - Doors of Compassion Ajax Hub (24 hours, seven days a week drop-in) Address: 125 Commercial Avenue, Ajax Hours: 24 hours, seven days a week Phone: 365-885-7089 Criteria: 18 years of age and older, all genders, pet-friendly Capacity: 41 spaces Opening date: Now |
| Clarington |
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Do Unto Others Address: 181 Liberty Street South, Bowmanville Hours: Daily 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Phone: 905-213-9580 Criteria: 18 plus, all genders, pet-friendly Capacity: 10 cots and 10 chairs Opening date: December 1, 2025 |
| Pickering |
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Dedicated Advocacy Resource Support (DARS) Address: 928 Liverpool Road, Pickering - Peace Lutheran Church Hours: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., *except Fridays are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Phone: 289-314–2261 Criteria: 18 years of age and older, all genders, pet-friendly Capacity: 25 cots Opening date: December 1, 2025 |
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Oshawa |
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Pending information |
| Whitby |
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CFOC - Doors of Compassion Address: 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby Hours: Daily 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Criteria: 18 years of age and older, all genders Capacity: 30 chairs Opening date: December 1, 2025 |
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North Durham – Brock, Scugog Township, Uxbridge |
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If you or someone you know in the northern region needs temporary shelter and can’t access emergency shelters or warming spaces, Outreach Workers from Community Living Durham North's Housing and Homelessness Support Program can help co-ordinate motel assistance. You can reach them at 905-852-5919 or by email at hhsp@cldn.ca for support.
North House offers transportation assistance, like bus tickets, to help residents in the north access emergency shelters focused on housing or overnight warming programs. They can be reached at:
Offices are only open during business hours, Monday to Friday. If you need help after hours, you can contact the shelter program directly for assistance. |
Winter Warming Guidelines
Durham Region Cooling Locations
2025 Community Hot Weather Response Locations for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
If you see someone in need of assistance that is a life-threatening emergency, call 911
If they need assistance, but not an emergency response, call the Durham Regional Police Services Non-Emergency Line: 905-579-1520
Links to local municipal programs and places to help you stay cool can be found here: Extreme Heat and Humidity - Region of Durham
Transportation
If you need assistance getting to a shelter or warming program, Housing outreach agencies can provide transportation help, such as bus tickets. These agencies are available during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. For help after hours, please contact the shelter or warming program directly.
| Housing outreach agencies |
| Ajax
Community Development Council Durham 905-686-2661
Clarington John Howard Society 905-623-6814
Oshawa-Whitby John Howard Society 905-579-8482
Scugog-Uxbridge-Brock North House 705-432-8654 or 1-877-406-8723 |
Additional Information
For more details on Housing-Focused Emergency Shelters and Winter Warming Spaces, visit the Homeless Shelters - Region of Durham.
To learn about the health risks of cold weather and ways to protect yourself, check out the Extreme Cold - Region of Durham.
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