1635 Dundas Street: Meeting immediate and long-term needs of Durham citizens without a home

The 1635 Dundas Street East project is a multi-phase initiative aimed at providing safe and inclusive housing support solutions to help individuals and families who need it most.

Durham Region welcomed the first occupants to 1635 Dundas Street East shelter on March 20, 2024. The shelter has provided a safe and supportive environment to over 100 unique individuals. The occupancy rate has been at or near capacity since opening.

Phase 2 now focuses on implementing what we heard from community engagement in Phase 1 by creating housing units with health and social supports and services. Durham Region values the insights and suggestions from our community members in informing the design and implementation of this facility that meets the needs of our residents.

Thank you for all the great input we received through our online survey for Phase 2. We appreciate and value all feedback. The survey is now closed.


Check out this virtual tour of 1635 Dundas:



The Region of Durham and Town of Whitby reach agreement for 1635 Dundas Street Project

On November 29, 2023, Durham Region and the Town of Whitby have reached an agreement related to 1635 Dundas Street. This decision will help to ensure collaboration that will allow the project to move forward. The Region purchased 1635 Dundas to help address the urgent need for housing and services. This will become part of the system of services across Durham to support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It will help to provide immediate solutions to help individuals and families who need it most.

Read the Council report here and the Full Agreement on the right column of this page.



Community Liaison Committee

The 1635 Dundas Community Liaison Committee (CLC) has officially begun to meet on a monthly basis to share information, identify issues, concerns and mitigation strategies that will assist in a successful integration of this low barrier shelter into the broader community.

Meeting minutes will be posted online after they are approved by the Community Liaison Committee. The meeting minutes are posted to the right hand column under Community Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes.

If community members would like to connect with the CLC, please email CommunityLC@durham.ca.


Frequently Asked Questions Video Series on 1635 Dundas




Have your say!

The Region held a community engagement session to gather input on 1635 Dundas on August 30 and October 3, 2023. These sessions offered the community an opportunity to share their concerns, inquiries and ideas for the site.

If you were unable to attend the in-person community engagement session, share your questions and comments at any time through this project page, see below.

Subscribe to this page to receive updates.

Below is a recording of the Community Engagement Session held on October 3, 2023:




Visit https://www.durham.ca/SupportiveHousingProjects/ to learn more about this Whitby-based site, along with information on the Beaverton Supportive Housing Project and the Oshawa Micro-Homes Pilot Project.

The 1635 Dundas Street East project is a multi-phase initiative aimed at providing safe and inclusive housing support solutions to help individuals and families who need it most.

Durham Region welcomed the first occupants to 1635 Dundas Street East shelter on March 20, 2024. The shelter has provided a safe and supportive environment to over 100 unique individuals. The occupancy rate has been at or near capacity since opening.

Phase 2 now focuses on implementing what we heard from community engagement in Phase 1 by creating housing units with health and social supports and services. Durham Region values the insights and suggestions from our community members in informing the design and implementation of this facility that meets the needs of our residents.

Thank you for all the great input we received through our online survey for Phase 2. We appreciate and value all feedback. The survey is now closed.


Check out this virtual tour of 1635 Dundas:



The Region of Durham and Town of Whitby reach agreement for 1635 Dundas Street Project

On November 29, 2023, Durham Region and the Town of Whitby have reached an agreement related to 1635 Dundas Street. This decision will help to ensure collaboration that will allow the project to move forward. The Region purchased 1635 Dundas to help address the urgent need for housing and services. This will become part of the system of services across Durham to support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It will help to provide immediate solutions to help individuals and families who need it most.

Read the Council report here and the Full Agreement on the right column of this page.



Community Liaison Committee

The 1635 Dundas Community Liaison Committee (CLC) has officially begun to meet on a monthly basis to share information, identify issues, concerns and mitigation strategies that will assist in a successful integration of this low barrier shelter into the broader community.

Meeting minutes will be posted online after they are approved by the Community Liaison Committee. The meeting minutes are posted to the right hand column under Community Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes.

If community members would like to connect with the CLC, please email CommunityLC@durham.ca.


Frequently Asked Questions Video Series on 1635 Dundas




Have your say!

The Region held a community engagement session to gather input on 1635 Dundas on August 30 and October 3, 2023. These sessions offered the community an opportunity to share their concerns, inquiries and ideas for the site.

If you were unable to attend the in-person community engagement session, share your questions and comments at any time through this project page, see below.

Subscribe to this page to receive updates.

Below is a recording of the Community Engagement Session held on October 3, 2023:




Visit https://www.durham.ca/SupportiveHousingProjects/ to learn more about this Whitby-based site, along with information on the Beaverton Supportive Housing Project and the Oshawa Micro-Homes Pilot Project.

  • What does it mean if a patron is distanced from 1635 Dundas Street East?

    Distancing is a term and practice that is used in the Shelter sector. Shelters, including low barrier shelters, have rules and codes of conduct for patrons and staff to follow. The rules support the health, safety and well-being of the individual patron, other patrons, the staff, the physical space and the surrounding community. Distancing, where the patron is asked leave the shelter for a determined period of time, is the final step in a progressive process used in shelter settings to manage, or respond, to behaviour or an incident in a shelter. A progressive process is a series of steps taken to assess each situation accordingly. If it is deemed necessary for a patron to be distanced from the shelter the period of time they are asked to leave is determined based on the significance of the behaviour or incident. Staff at the shelter will assist patrons through the distancing process to support developing alternate plans.

  • What happens when someone is distanced for a 24-hour period or longer?

    If someone moves to the final step in the progressive process, they will be asked to leave the shelter they are in, but not the entire shelter system. Alternate shelter arrangements and/or transportation will be arranged to ensure they are continuing to receive support if the patron consents.

  • What happens if there is no other shelter bed available in our system?

    Shelter staff would work diligently with the patron to secure a crisis bed, detox bed or even a temporary stay with a friend or family member when possible. Steps are also taken to find a bed in shelter outside Durham only if necessary and if so, transportation is arranged. The system is at capacity at times and distancing means a return to unsheltered status.

  • How extensive is the remedial work needed on 1635 Dundas?

    Phase 1 construction included partial interior renovations to the first floor to facilitate 45 emergency shelter beds along with necessary ancillary support spaces, site improvements to improve drainage, and perimeter fencing. Interior renovations ensure that common building elements operate properly, and fire and life safety systems are up to code.

  • Does the renovation include the removal of mould and asbestos?

    There are clear protocols and strict regulations for the removal of mould and asbestos since they are found in many buildings across the province. The Region of Durham is working with an environmental consultant to ensure any hazardous materials are identified and abatement is complete by the Region’s contractor in areas being renovated. Any mould or water damage will be removed throughout the renovation. Materials containing asbestos are noted in the walls and select flooring will be removed according to the standard protocol. The Region is following all protocols and regulations, including Ontario Regulation 278/05 (Designated Substance – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations).

  • What is low barrier shelter?

    Low barrier shelters are not no barrier facilities. Low barrier shelters aim to remove systemic barriers to make the shelter more accessible. It means the most vulnerable community members who face system barriers, have a safe and secure place to sleep and access services. This includes; people with disabilities, seniors, those with pets, people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and those experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.

  • Will adding a shelter to a Whitby neighborhood bring challenges to the area?

    The 1635 Dundas facility is on a major transit corridor that allows for people requiring public transit to actively engage in the community­­­—it’s close to food options for groceries, medical clinics and pharmacies, and other general supports that are available to any member of the community.

    In addition to expanding housing options, the shelter spaces meet the demands within Durham’s system. Services such as street outreach teams and coordinated access improvements are also being implemented to address the housing crisis. Seeking appropriate spaces that allow for indoor 24 hour services and sleep space is important to maintaining safety and wellness for service users and community members.

    Research in other cities demonstrates that there will not be an increase in challenges to the area, however, there will be Regional staff on-site to receive information about issues, and the Community Liaison Committee will be able to raise any unanticipated challenges so that they can be addressed.

  • Will there be space for individuals to bring their belongings, cook in, areas to live, etc.?

    There is capacity for these future uses at this site and all options are being considered.

    The site has a floor plan that will allow for supportive and transitional housing units as the development and retrofits occur in future phases. The initial emergency shelter spaces will not require people to sleep in a dormitory set up. The large rooms available in the building will allow for services such as establishing food security, providing housing-first services, support for employment, ID clinics, counselling and life skills education.

  • Why is this site not offering support to seniors who are struggling?

    The site will offer safe space to people, including seniors, who are experiencing homelessness.

    Many people accessing shelters are seniors who cannot afford housing and this space will initially offer safe sleep space that is not set up in a large dormitory style.

    This facility requires repairs and updates, and it does not meet space requirements for seniors who need long-term care at a specific level.

  • Why is this site not being converted to a child care centre instead of a shelter?

    The Region is the provincially designated Consolidated Services System Manager for Early Years and Child Care. Durham’s child care system has expanded significantly over the past ten years. There are currently more than 29,000 spaces in Durham’s Child Care system. Expansion has occurred to ensure there are child care programs across the region. Currently the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) plan is reducing fees for parents and making child care more accessible. CWELCC includes a provincially approved expansion plan.

    This site was acquired by the Region as the Housing and Homelessness system manager to support the housing and homelessness system. We are in a housing and homelessness crisis, 1635 Dundas is part of a system development initiative that includes program and space expansions to meet current demands.

Page last updated: 28 Nov 2024, 08:29 AM