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

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).

Phase 1 construction that is currently underway includes partial interior renovations to the first floor to facilitate 45 beds along with necessary ancillary support spaces, site improvements to improve drainage, and perimeter fencing. Interior renovations will ensure common building elements are operating properly for occupancy and fire and life safety systems are brought up to current code requirements.

Wraparound services are designed to offer accessible and essential supports that meet individual needs. These services are offered by a team of professionals (such as educators, mental health workers, employment counselors, case coordinators, health care providers) who work with people to help meet their goals and move out of the system of care they are currently using.

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.

What is not permitted at the shelter location? Violence or threats of violence; sexual harassment or sexual violence, theft, excessive damage to property, arson or drug dealing.

Who accesses this shelter? Individuals who are recently homeless, living in their car. Some individuals are living in ravines, streets, couch surfing. People accessing a shelter choose to be there because they are seeking emergency accommodations, and require support services to access long-term housing.

How does it operate? Shelter standards are followed to ensure quality service and supports meet individual needs. Guests of the shelter are expected to work consistently on housing until housing is secured.

The project has been approved by Regional Council. Council voted to purchase the 1635 Dundas property and then to open the facility 24 hours a day as an emergency low barrier shelter for approximately 45 individuals.

No additional zoning approval is required and the Ontario Human Rights Code does not allow people to choose who lives in their neighbourhood. This facility will support the people who are currently having to live outdoors in Whitby, in ravines and in the area surrounding 1635 Dundas.

The shelter spaces will support the need for overnight indoor space that existed last year. In addition, this site will allow people to stay inside during the day and work toward their goals instead of moving around outside in the cold.

Durham Region does not have the intention of creating one of the largest emergency shelters in Canada at this site.

Currently, the urgency is to get 45 spaces operational at the shelter to bring people indoors before winter 2023. For a shelter to be considered operational, support services and policies must be in place. This initial phase will be shared rooms only, as only a portion of the building will be made operational at that time.

The site have updated security and IT systems, a 10-foot privacy fence, the required furniture, and policies that align with shelter standards and the appropriate staffing.

The site will open before winter to provide indoor space and shelter from the harsh winter weather. It will follow established shelter best-practices. Community partners that offer health, housing, social, mental health and addiction and life skills building programs have already been engaged. Wraparound services at the site will be in place and the indoor environment allows for a full range of programming.

Security for the site is currently in place and will continue to be in place for the site at levels required based on use. Regional Council provided direction in the early spring that street outreach services will be expanded so staff who support people experiencing homelessness and support community well-being are available. The expansion of outreach services will occur before the site opens.

All municipalities in Ontario follow the same process for purchasing property. The total purchase price was $13.7 million. The Region retained a third-party licensed appraiser to assess the property before purchase and the property was purchased at fair market value in accordance with the Region’s process for property acquisition.

The Region is always looking for the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide services that the community needs. Purchasing an existing facility is more cost effective than building a new facility to support the community.

Currently, a new long-term care home is projected to cost about $160 million to build. While the long-term care home has more extensive requirements, the size is similar to the size of the 1635 Dundas building. The purchase of 1635 Dundas provides a great opportunity to address community needs at a significantly lower cost than a new build.

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.

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.