Region of Durham celebrates opening of Beaverton Heights transitional housing

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham is beginning to welcome program participants to Beaverton Heights transitional housing.

The 47-unit residence provides accommodation and access to wraparound services. Located at 121 Nine Mile Road, Beaverton, the residence includes a community hub space, outdoor garden areas and recreational facilities. The virtual tour is available on YouTube.

Program participants are moving into Beaverton Heights gradually over time. North Durham residents who are experiencing – or at-risk of – homelessness, and who need extra supports to overcome barriers to housing, have priority access to this program.

The service operator at Beaverton Heights is Blue Door. Blue Door provides wraparound services, including on-site meals in a dining hall, tenancy and life skills building, employment and education services, connections to health services, and other supports that help people achieve their goals.

Transitional housing provides the supports and life skills necessary to successfully overcome barriers to housing and transition into permanent housing.

For more information about Beaverton Heights, visit durham.ca/BeavertonHeights.

Quotes

“The goal of Beaverton Heights is to assist residents on their journey towards permanent housing and stability. By offering accommodation and supports, Beaverton Heights will serve as a vital resource in our community and will be life-changing for program participants.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

“We are excited to welcome program participants to Beaverton Heights and support them on their journey to permanent housing. Transitional housing provides the supports and life skills necessary for life stabilization, and I look forward to the success stories that will come from this residence.”

- Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services

Quick Facts

• Beaverton Heights was designed to complement the surrounding community and provide indoor and outdoor amenity space. The design has won both national and international awards, including the 2021 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence.
• The residence is designed to run on solar energy and electric power to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support the Region’s commitment to protect the environment through leadership in sustainability.
• Transitional housing is a supportive, temporary accommodation program meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing. Housing support for program participants is provided, including offering them the experience, tools, knowledge and opportunities for social and skill development to become more independent. Transitional housing is considered an intermediate step between emergency shelter and supportive housing, and has limits on how long a person can stay.
• OrgCode Consulting, Inc. was retained by the Region of Durham to provide an objective and independent study of the new supportive housing development. View the Beaverton Supportive Housing Suitability Study.

– 30 –

For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.