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.

  • How will the Region choose who is staying at this site?

    Emergency shelter is for people who require a place to sleep and to work toward housing goals. As additional phases of the site are developed, it will offer more housing and service options for people who are experiencing homelessness, people who are at risk of homelessness, or individuals who need help to live independently in the community.

    As additional phases of the site are developed, there is potential to provide housing that will offer more service options for people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or individuals who need help to live independently in the community.

  • Will there be room for families and/or pets?

    We will rely on community engagement to help determine the type of services offered at this site. However, we understand the importance of pets for well-being and will permit pets following Public Health guidelines.

  • Will this site offer a safe injection site?

    Durham Region does not currently have any safe injection sites (Consumption and Treatment Services). There are no plans for a safe injection site; safe injection sites/consumption and treatment services are the responsibility of the provincial government.

    We understand there are existing concerns about homelessness and drug use in the community. We are gathering community feedback to help shape which services should be available here.

  • How will the Region address increased crime?

    The Region takes security seriously and we will work to mitigate any negative impacts to the community and keep people using the facility safe. The mitigation plan will include a plan to address security concerns in partnership with local law enforcement, Durham Regional Police Service and others, should the need arise.

    Homelessness is a housing status; being homeless is not a crime nor does it mean people experiencing homelessness have or will commit crimes. Offering services to support people who are experiencing homelessness, people who are at risk of homelessness, or individuals who need help to live independently in the community does not mean crime will increase, but we will work proactively to mitigate issues and address any issues that arise promptly.

    It is important not to discriminate against service users by assuming they are responsible for all issues in the community moving forward. If a service user is responsible, they will be held accountable for their actions, as any other member of the community would be held accountable.

  • Will you be hiring for this location once services are determined?

    Although the type of services has yet to be determined, Regional staff and other external service providers may offer on-site services. Staffing will align with the service demands at the site; an emergency shelter is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Have any studies been conducted to assess potential impacts on property values in the area?

    Property values can be influenced by many factors. There are no specific studies that confirm property values will decrease because of a new shelter.

  • Has anyone spoken with area residents or explained why they were not notified in advance?

    Area residents are not notified in advance of a pending real estate transactions made by the Regional Municipality of Durham. The reality is that negotiations involve confidential financial details. They need to remain that way.

    As the Service System Manager, the Region is expanding services available across Durham to support people with housing and homelessness supports. Homelessness is a crisis across the region and the country.

    The Region made the announcement on the day it took possession of the property. This was done to make this decision public. The notification can be reviewed here.

    We encourage the community to stay up to date by visiting the project website at yourvoice.durham.ca/HelpAddressHomelessness.

  • How will the facility address accessibility concerns?

    As outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Region will ensure 1635 Dundas meets accessibility requirements; supporting the vision of a fully accessible Ontario.

  • Why was the shelter beside the Whitby library closed? Are there plans to keep it open instead of this site?

    The warming shelter located by the Whitby library was opened for overnight 12-hour winter warming only. It was used to keep people inside and alive during the harsh winter weather. It closed in the spring as it is not an appropriate space for an emergency shelter to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    The previous warming shelter did not have full bathrooms or kitchen space. The 1635 Dundas location has rooms, bathroom facilities and kitchen space, which will allow people to be indoors 24/7.

  • How will Durham Region Police Service (DRPS) ensure community safety?

    DRPS keeps this Region safe through enforcement and community-based crime prevention. Community members are asked to call 911 to report emergencies or crimes in progress. For non-emergencies, community members can use the online reporting tool at drps.ca.

Page last updated: 18 Nov 2024, 07:21 AM