Durham Region Encampment Strategy
Tim Welch Consulting Inc. Report - January 15, 2025
Homelessness Service Planning
The Service Plan outlines key priorities aimed at developing and enhancing a responsive homelessness service system in Durham Region. This system is built on an integrated, person-centred approach that focuses on addressing the unique needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. By aligning resources, services, and collaborative efforts, these priorities work toward the shared goal of ending chronic homelessness in the region. The plan emphasizes coordinated care, prevention strategies, and long-term housing solutions to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness for all residents.
Service Manager Information
The Region of Durham serves as the legislated Service System Manager (SSM) for Housing and Homelessness under Ontario’s Housing Services Act, a role unique to Ontario. Additionally, it is designated by the federal government as the Community Entity responsible for coordinating the local homelessness system.
As SSM, the Region oversees a broad range of critical services, including social services, homelessness supports, emergency shelters, community housing, public health, and policing. In its commitment to ending chronic homelessness, Durham Region delivers various targeted programs and outreach initiatives designed to connect individuals with stable housing and supportive resources.
Durham Region Encampment Strategy
The Point-in-Time (PiT) Count is a national effort to measure and better understand homelessness. Communities organize their local PiT Count for one 24-hour period, to count and survey people experiencing homelessness within a geographical area. The goal of the PiT Count is to better understand the scope of national homelessness and better understand and support those experiencing it.
The Regional Municipality of Durham collaborated with community partners to conduct the 2024 PiT Count from November 18 to 19, 2024. The information gathered through the PiT will be used to understand the profile of those experiencing homelessness, inform evidence-based programming and service planning, and provide individuals experiencing homelessness the opportunity to vocalize what supports and services will help them the most.
The PiT Count was conducted by outreach workers, shelter staff, and volunteers, inclusive of those with lived experience of homelessness. The PiT Count included individuals living:
- Outdoors and in encampments
- Shelters
- Drop-in centres
- Health care centres
- Hiddenly homeless
A successful count enables our community to:
- Ensure the accuracy of the By-name List of individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Identify the characteristics and needs of both visible and hidden homeless populations.
- Recognize areas of progress and pinpoint where additional efforts are needed, both geographically and among different subpopulations.
- Raise awareness of homelessness, and strategies to support those experiencing it.
Research Reports & Policy Publications
Integrated Homelessness System Action Plan
Tim Welch Consulting Inc. Report - November 24, 2023
Policy Paper on Homelessness and Related Challenges
Outlines the current challenges in Durham Region, community bright spots that are making a difference, and opportunities for advocacy to the federal and provincial government.
A Renewed Homelessness and Housing Support Service System for the Regional Municipality of Durham
OrgCode Consulting Inc. Report - December 8, 2022
The Region of Durham’s Veteran Homelessness Program supports local Veterans who are at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness by helping them secure and maintain stable housing. The program provides individualized wraparound support and case management in collaboration with community and federal partners. Its goal is to reduce barriers to affordable housing and enhance the overall well‑being and long‑term stability of Veterans in our community so they can live with the dignity they deserve.
Many former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members may not consider themselves Veterans and are often unaware of the benefits available to them. A Veteran is any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who successfully completed basic training and was honourably discharged.
If you believe you may be a Veteran, or know someone who might be, please contact Homelesshelp@durham.ca to connect with our Veteran Homelessness Program.
Annual Durham Community Homelessness Report
Durham Region’s Community Plan outlines a coordinated, systems-based approach to addressing homelessness, grounded in collaboration, data, and equity. This plan identifies local priorities, highlights gaps in the current system, and sets out actions to improve services and housing outcomes for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Developed with input from community partners, service providers, and those with lived experience, the plan supports the Region’s commitment to preventing and reducing homelessness through integrated, person-centered solutions.
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