Durham Region takes housing-focused approach to help end chronic homelessness

Whitby, Ontario – Housing is a basic human right. In honour of National Housing Day on November 22, The Regional Municipality of Durham reaffirms its commitment to ending chronic homelessness in our community by 2024 because everyone deserves a place to call home.

As per At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024, the Region is developing long-term innovative approaches to improve access to–and retention of–housing. This includes working with community partners to ensure all supports, services and strategies are housing-focused, meaning they are part of a process to help someone be housed and end their homelessness.

To help streamline access to housing and supports, the Region uses a By-Name List and Co-ordinated Access System. The By-Name List is a list of people currently experiencing homelessness, who provide consent to receive supports, and are engaged with the support system. The Co-ordinated Access System is used to connect people on the By-Name List with wrap-around supports and housing to help end their homelessness.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional mental health challenges, addictions and housing needs, the Region continues to find housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness. In 2021, more than 100 new housing opportunities were created.

The Region continues to track progress on homelessness reduction through a monthly report card with Built for Zero Canada, which is supported by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. This report card focuses on facts about homelessness within the community, which helps the Region to determine next steps.   

Learn more about housing and homelessness in Durham Region at durham.ca/Housing.

Quotes

“Homelessness is a housing status; it is not someone’s identity. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and The Region remains committed to helping those who consent to receive the supports. On National Housing Day, and every day, Durham Region is a caring community where no one gets left behind or falls through the cracks.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

“The Regional Municipality of Durham is committed to ending chronic homelessness by 2024. Through our housing-focused approach, we are ensuring that all supports, services and strategies lead to housing, as opposed to just managing the symptoms of homelessness. Thank you to our amazing housing and homelessness services providers for supporting this approach. Together, we will help end chronic homelessness for those who would like the help.”

- Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services, Region of Durham

Quick Facts

• There are currently 199 people experiencing homelessness in Durham Region. Of those, 92 people have been chronically homeless for six months or longer.
• New housing-focused shelter standards and street outreach strategy are being rolled out towards the end of this year.
• Durham Region is a part of Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness’s Built for Zero Canada program—a nation-wide effort that helps communities end chronic homelessness. Through the collection of real-time data, the Region and its service providers can better address homelessness in Durham.

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