The Regional Municipality of Durham expands work with community partners to help the homeless
Whitby, Ontario – As the cold weather approaches, The Regional Municipality of Durham continues to work with its community partners to help ensure those who are most vulnerable, primarily the homeless population in Durham, take the appropriate precautions and find an emergency shelter. The Region has also made enhancements to available programs and services for the homeless.
In the spring, the Region combined a Point in Time Count with a Registry Week to provide a profile and better understand homelessness in our community. A Point in Time Count surveys people experiencing sheltered or unsheltered homelessness. A Registry Week surveys people who are provisionally accommodated (commonly known as “hidden homelessness” or “couch surfing”).
There were 188 individuals surveyed. Preliminary results indicate that less than 15 per cent of those surveyed were living unsheltered in our community.
“The information obtained from the Point in Time Count and Registry Week informed our program and service planning,” said Alan Robins, Director of Housing Services. “As a result, we are better able to connect those living unsheltered in our community with available resources. Innovative and collaborative work has been undertaken on behalf of the Region of Durham, Social Services and Health departments, Cornerstone Community Association, Salvation Army, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), the local area municipalities, and other support agencies.”
The Region also created the Oshawa Unsheltered Residents Task Force (OUR Task Force). This working group includes key representatives from the Region, City of Oshawa, Carea Community Health Centre, Cornerstone, DRPS, John Howard Society and other social services organizations.
New programs and services to address homelessness are outlined below.
Cornerstone expanded their services in 2018 to include a Bridges Street Outreach Program. The outreach team works to build relationships with those living unsheltered by providing practical services, such as showers, laundry services, personal hygiene care packages, food services, referrals to medical supports and assistance with finding housing. The team works as long-term case managers for clients.
The Salvation Army Housing Retention Program is an evidence-based program that works to obtain permanent housing for those who are the most vulnerable to homelessness by securing two and three-bedroom homes and apartments that individuals within the program can share. The program seeks out community-centered landlords who want to make a difference, and pairs them with individuals who would not otherwise be likely candidates for rental opportunities. The first Durham Landlord Symposium was held on September 13 at the Ajax Convention Centre to highlight the details of the program. Twelve landlords and property managers attended the presentation. All of those who were present have expressed an interest in working with the Salvation Army’s Housing Retention Program.
DRPS is launching a new mobile response team to help vulnerable persons in our community, in partnership with the Region of Durham, Health and Social Services departments; Lakeridge Health – Oshawa; the University of Ontario Institute of Technology; and the Durham Elder Abuse Network (DEAN).
Current program and service updates are included below.
The Primary Care Outreach Pilot was introduced in July 2018. This mobile outreach unit connects an advanced care paramedic and a social worker with individuals who may be homeless, dealing with mental health or addiction issues, or unable to seek medical care, counselling, or other services. From July 23 to August 31, the Region connected with 77 individuals. Of these individuals, 25 were referred to other community partners; and five were housed or have move in dates for new homes. The pilot has been approved by Regional Council to run until February 2019. After February 2019 the continuance of the pilot will be evaluated.
In December 2017, Regional Council approved funding for 30 additional subsidized housing units to be filled by applicants on the Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH) wait list by date of application. To date, 10 individuals experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of homelessness have moved into permanent, affordable housing.
“Ending homelessness in Durham is one of the key goals of the Region’s housing plan,” said Robins. “At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024, is an integrated housing plan that lays out the Region’s vision for housing during the next 10 years. The housing plan reinforces our commitment to developing long-term innovative approaches to help individuals access and retain housing.”
For more information on the Region’s homeless and housing programs, or to access the Durham Housing Plan, please visit durham.ca/housing.
– 30 –
For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.
Contact Us