Region of Durham to establish Durham Reception Centre in Pickering

Whitby, Ontario – The federal government has provided funding for the Region of Durham to purchase a former hotel in Pickering. This space will be used to establish the Durham Reception Centre—a space providing temporary accommodation and support for asylum claimants arriving through the Durham Humanitarian Response Program (DHRP). 

Located at 533 Kingston Road, the purchase of this 2.84-acre site, and some of its future operating costs, were made possible with funding from the federal Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP). Securing a dedicated interim housing facility was a core requirement of the IHAP grant, which also aligns with several pathways within the Durham Region 2025–2035 Strategic Plan. 

Operated by the Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) and supported by other community organizations, the DHRP has been the Region’s primary mechanism for co-ordinating temporary accommodations and settlement services since 2023. The establishment of the Durham Reception Centre strengthens this work. It offers a dedicated, federally funded facility that supports individuals, as they transition safely and efficiently into long‑term, independent housing. All with the goal of building their lives in Durham Region. Learn more about the DHRP and Durham Reception Centre by visiting DurhamImmigration.ca/DurhamReceptionCentre. 

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