More than shelter: building a system of support

Whitby, Ontario – Housing is a basic human need, and most people experiencing homelessness do not choose to live this way. In Durham Region, nearly 2,000 people have asked for help to end their homelessness.

In honour of World Homeless Day on October 10, the Region of Durham is raising awareness, and continuing to address and eliminate barriers to accessing safe, affordable housing. 

The Region of Durham uses a housing-focused approach as Service System Manager of local homelessness supports. This means all supports, services and strategies – including shelters – are part of a system that leads people to securing and maintaining permanent housing. The goal is to help people permanently end their homelessness.

Many people experiencing homelessness require more than housing services to maintain a permanent place to call home. This may include life skills building, mental health and addictions services, employment support and training, or related services. As of August, 93 per cent of people experiencing homelessness in Durham region have identified as having mid to very high-acuity needs, meaning they required supports from multiple services to remain housed. As such, the Region of Durham takes a co-ordinated approach, connecting people with services based on their needs.

Those who participate in transitional supportive housing programs receive accommodation and access to wraparound services that provide experience, tools and knowledge to help people overcome barriers to housing. The Region of Durham developed two local transitional housing residences, Beaverton Heights and Oshawa Micro-Homes, and is currently developing 1635 Dundas Street East, Whitby, into supportive, transitional housing units on the second and third floors. The purpose is to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing.

As of August, the Region of Durham has supported 435 individuals with moving into housing this year. Through community access points and Regional Street Outreach, the Region of Durham continues to connect with people experiencing homelessness to offer support; and collaborates with all levels of government, health services and the community towards our shared goal of ending chronic homelessness.

Quote

“While homelessness remains a complex issue, there can be lasting change when all levels of government, health services and the community work together. Every person in Durham Region needs a roof over their head; it is a basic human right.”
-    John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

For help with homelessness support, please contact: 
Email: HomelessHelp@durham.ca 
Phone: 905-668-4113 extension 5510 
Toll free: 1-800-372-1102 extension 5510 
311 - extension 5510

Quick facts

·    The Region of Durham is Service System Manager of local homelessness supports and is responsible for establishing policies that promote affordable housing development; managing social housing; creating local housing and homelessness plans; contributing and co-ordinating housing funding; developing and administering housing and homelessness programs; and reporting on progress.

·       Beaverton Heights is a 47-unit transitional housing residence that provides accommodation and access to wraparound services to help promote life stabilization. Blue Door is the service operator for the residence and provides wraparound supports, including on-site meals, rental and tenant support and support with life skills building, employment services, mental health and addictions, and other supports that promote life stabilization.

·       Oshawa Micro-Homes includes 10 units for temporary, transitional housing with supports provided by local agencies. Supports are tailored to each resident’s needs and may include case management, financial assistance, employment services, mental health and addictions supports, life skills teaching and more.

·       1635 Dundas Street East opened its doors in March 2024 as a 45-bed shelter, and is being developed in phases to provide housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Beginning in early 2027, the site will include 13 health-focused transitional housing units and a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, both operated by the Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC). Through these services, residents will have access to primary care, mental health and addictions supports, housing support services, and other services that help individuals improve their health and housing. In early 2028, an additional 44 transitional housing units will open, bringing the total number of supportive and transitional housing units to 57 during Phase 2. An experienced housing provider will operate the transitional housing units, which will offer temporary housing and personalized supports to help residents move toward permanent housing.

·       The Regional Street Outreach Program works on a 24/7 basis to ensure the needs of Durham’s most vulnerable population are met. The Regional Street Outreach Program is an engagement team who assist individuals experiencing homelessness with meeting their basic needs and connecting them with Durham Region’s By-Name List and Co-ordinated Access System. Supports can include collaboration with system service providers and system navigation, encampment wellness and relocation supports, referrals to community agencies, transportation support and wellness checks.

– 30 –