Durham Region remains committed to Beaverton Supportive Housing Project

Whitby, Ontario – On January 27, Durham Regional Council moved to release proposals made to the Township of Brock regarding the Beaverton Supportive Housing Project.

The Region has heard community concerns about the project, including security, health services and community services such as transit and policing. The Region has offered significant and comprehensive proposals to the Township of Brock to address concerns and ensure the Beaverton Supportive Housing Project is completed within the funding deadline.

Durham Region has offered the following modifications to the project to address community concerns while still bringing much-needed services to the north Durham community. These proposals include:

• There is a clear need for all of the spaces in this facility and more. However, to respect the concerns of the community, the Region will deploy a phased occupancy plan which will limit residency to only 25 residents in the first year followed by an operational review to determine whether that occupancy could be increased and, if so, by how much.
• Admissions practices that ensure priority is given to residents of north Durham.
• The use of congregate spaces being phased in during the first year to recognize that the Township has expressed concerns with shared washroom facilities.
• A Durham Region Police Services site security audit was completed for this facility and all recommendations in that audit will be implemented. Further, the Region will provide enhanced fencing, site illumination, surveillance and on-site security.
• Regional advocacy with the Durham Regional Police Service to address issues in Brock.
• Assistance recruiting a community family physician.
• Enhanced intake policy to ensure residents have the necessary supports to meet their needs.
• Making space available within the community hub for specific supports, which will be available for all residents of north Durham. Consideration will be given to using other Regional space in Beaverton to provide more sensitive services in conjunction with those offered as part of the project, as well as Regional and community services delivered in conjunction with this facility.
• Conversion of some proposed residential suites to provide additional support space for residents.
• Making on demand transit available for residents.
• The establishment of a community liaison committee along with monthly meetings with the Township’s Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer and the Region’s Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioner of Social Services.

To date, the Region has not received any response or feedback from Brock Council on the proposals above.

These proposals were offered after the Township of Brock raised concerns about this project and passed an Interim Control By-law on November 23, 2020, prohibiting supportive housing and modular construction, including manufactured dwelling houses, for 12 months. This includes any building where wrap-around services are provided to residents or visitors, such as on-site meals; mental health and addictions support; medical and dental care; financial assistance; rental and tenant support; life skills teaching/counselling; and employment service.

The Regional Municipality of Durham aims to move forward with this project, which addresses an urgent need for housing and services in north Durham.

This modular housing development in Beaverton, Ontario, will provide housing and access to wrap-around services to promote life stabilization. Priority access will be given to unsheltered residents of north Durham who require this level of service, with up to 50 residents phased in over a number of years.

This project will also include a service hub for the north Durham community, who currently do not have access to much-needed support services close to home. North Durham residents will be able to access support services such as mental health and addictions support, medical care (virtual and/or on-site), financial assistance, rental and tenant support, life skills teaching/counselling, and addictions counselling.

Learn more about the project at durham.ca/SupportiveHousing.

Quote

“Durham Region is a caring community, and it is our job to ensure no one gets left behind. The Beaverton Supportive Housing Project will offer residents a place to feel secure, supported and part of a community. We believe so strongly in this project that we have made every proposal possible to address all concerns raised by the Township of Brock— yet, we remain at a standstill. We are committed to the development of this project and encourage Brock Council to lift the Interim Control By-law for the project to proceed.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Durham Region

Quick Facts

• This project was proposed as part of the Expedited Supportive Housing Report, and approved by Regional Council for expedited development on July 29, 2020.
• The Region will use funds from the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI). The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provided funding approval under the Canada-Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (Year 2) on September 14, 2020.
• OrgCode Consulting, Inc. was retained by the Region of Durham to provide an objective and independent study of this new supportive housing development, the Beaverton Supportive Housing Suitability Study.
• This project will provide much-needed community resources to all residents in north Durham. Currently, north Durham residents must travel as far as 60 to 70 kilometres for the support services they need. In the past year, more than 100 people from north Durham have reached out to Durham’s homelessness support system for homelessness and housing support.
• This project supports At Home In Durham, a comprehensive plan to end homelessness across Durham Region through the creation of at least 1,000 new affordable housing units, supportive housing developments and the revitalization of social housing. 

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