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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.