Social Services

Long-Term Care and Services for Seniors provides programs and services in four long-term care homes. The Region owns and operates each accredited home. 

To apply to a long-term care home, contact Ontario Health atHome - Central East by telephone: at 310-2222 (no area code required), or toll-free: 1-800-263-3877. 

Services for seniors also include:

• Respite care
• Adult Day Programs
• Services for older adults who are at risk.

The Child Care and Early Years Division (CCEYD) strives to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive in safe, inclusive and high-quality learning environments. 

The CCEYD supports:

• Families who need help with the daily cost of child care.
• Supporting children with special concerns and needs.
• Educators and child care operators.
• Connecting families to licensed child care in the community, including in our Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres.
• Families looking for EarlyON Child and Family Centres and programs.

Through these supports, the CCEYD works to create a child care system that supports children in reaching their potential and meets the needs of local families.

Ontario Works assists individuals who are in financial need. There are two types of assistance—financial assistance and employment support. 

Financial assistance supports may include:

• Emergency Assistance
• Temporary Care
• Assistance for youth aged 16 and 17
• Additional Benefits

As the Employment Service System Manager, the Region helps to connect job seekers with employers. Services include:

• Skills development and training.
• Education upgrading.
• Job search supports.

Family Services Durham (FSD) works to improve the well-being, mental health, safety, and quality of life of those who live and work in Durham Region, through accessible community programs:

• Community Counselling/Psychotherapy is offered for individuals, families, and relationships
• Wellness Workshops on a range of mental health and wellness topics
• Employee Assistance Program supports individuals, families, and workplaces
• Men's Counselling Link supports men struggling with stress, emotions, conflict, or harmful behaviour
• Partner Assault Response Program is offered to individuals charged with intimate partner violence
• Adult Protective Services provides case management to adults with developmental disabilities
• Older Adult Safety Advisor supports older adults who are at risk of abuse or other harm
• Mental Health Outreach Program and Primary Care Outreach Program (in partnership with the Region of Durham Paramedic Services) provide clinical counselling and other supports to those experiencing homelessness.

Housing Services offers financial supports to eligible households, such as:

• Rent-geared-to-income.
• Durham Portable Housing Benefit.
• Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB).
• Durham Affordable Housing Rent Program.

These programs help eligible households afford and keep housing in the non-profit, co-operative and private rental market. 

The division also runs Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH), a waitlist and application system for rent-geared-to-income housing and housing benefits across the region.

Help is available if you don’t have anywhere to stay. Supports include:

• Local Homeless Shelters and Warming Centres
• Community Access Points
• Homeless Data and Monthly Report Card
• Housing Stability Program helps eligible low-income households in Durham Region with financial assistance to obtain housing or prevent homelessness. 

For inquiries or concerns related to homeless supports and services in Durham:

Email: Homelesshelp@Durham.ca or

Phone: 905-668-4113 extension 5510

1-800-372-1102 extension 5510

311, ext. 5510

Outreach Services

Social Services offers Street Outreach, a Primary Care Outreach Program, mental health and addiction support to those experiencing homelessness.

Affordable Housing Development and Renewal is responsible for creating new opportunities for affordable and supportive housing.

The division identifies and manages new projects on properties owned by the Region and Housing Durham, builds development partnerships with private and non-profit housing providers, and oversees the Region's At Home Incentive Program to build new affordable housing.

Emergency Social Services (ESS) is overseen by the Business Services Division (BSD). ESS co-ordinates short-term support for individuals and families affected by emergencies or disasters. ESS helps people meet their immediate needs, such as shelter, food, clothing, and information, during and after an emergency.

The Strategic Partnerships & Priorities team aims to build resources in our community. 

• Residents living with low income can find information about programs and services on the Living with Low-Income page.
• Individuals who need support with tax filing can learn about eligibility and access to free tax help on the File Your Taxes website.
• Residents can get ID and information about programs in one place by visiting Hub events held in the spring and fall. Locations and dates are available on ID and Benefits Access Hubs website.
• Non-profit organizations can find funding opportunities through the Community Social Investment Program, Funding resources, and the Funding Opportunities Newsletter.
• In partnership with the Region’s Health Department and the community, we are establishing a Durham Poverty Response Program.