Durham Region utilizes Camp Samac to support unsheltered residents during COVID-19

The Region of Durham is working with community partners to support the homeless shelter response and increase physical distancing within the shelter system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotel partnerships have been made to support unsheltered residents who need to isolate, transportation arrangements have been identified, and connections with the health care sector have strengthened. In addition, Scouts Canada is providing use of one of their private Camp Samac cabins in Oshawa to support individuals experiencing homelessness in maintaining physical distancing and social isolation practices, keeping themselves and our community safe from COVID-19.

One lodge at Camp Samac will be operational as of May 1 to provide additional shelter space for unsheltered residents in Durham. A second lodge will be used for staff or agency space and to securely store clients’ belongings.

The Christian Faith Outreach Centre in Ajax and the First Light Foundation of Hope in Oshawa will be the lead agencies on site. On-site security will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide support and ensure the safety of residents.

Camp Samac was chosen for this purpose because the lodges are intended to temporarily house people and they already have beds in place. There is also space available for staff to be able to provide daytime activities and services to try and keep the clients engaged and active. People are being encouraged to avoid non-essential trips within their community to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and Camp Samac allows for a space to provide this support.

The Region of Durham would like to thank Scouts Canada and all partners involved in making this great work happen to support people in need, while promoting the health and safety of all residents during COVID-19.

Residents with questions or concerns, please call the Region at 905-668-7711 ext. 2484.

Durham Region residents should follow trusted sources of information to stay informed. For a full list of impacts to Regional programs and services, visit durham.ca/ServiceChanges. Get the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Durham Region at durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus.

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“The Region of Durham is committed to maintaining the health and safety of all residents. We are all doing our best to follow public health direction to stay at home, but we must remember that not everyone has a home. During this emergency situation, it is more important than ever not to let anyone fall through the cracks. We thank Scouts Canada for working closely with the Region to permit the use of Camp Samac as a temporary location to provide shelter for our unsheltered residents. The site will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with appropriate security in place. We are fortunate to live in a community where we can help those in need respond to this pandemic. Doing so helps all of us to flatten the curve.”

- Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services

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For more information, contact Corporate Communications.