Regional Council recognizes the need for affordable housing to be expedited during COVID-19

Whitby, Ontario – Yesterday, Durham Regional Council approved the Expedited Supportive Housing Report, which identifies the urgent need for affordable and supportive housing. The report outlines two proposed projects—the development of a modular supportive housing project in Beaverton and a new micro-homes pilot project in Oshawa.

By expediting the development of these projects, the Region helps to address the needs of Durham’s unsheltered residents, which were highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis.

Modular supportive housing project

To be located on Regional land at 133 Main Street in Beaverton and subject to the approval of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Region will use funds from the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) and the Social Housing Reserve Fund to construct a supportive housing project containing  approximately 50 units. Residents will have access to wrap around services to promote life stabilization. To expedite the development process, the Region is pursuing a modular construction technique that has seen significant success in western Canada and is growing in popularity in Ontario.

Micro-homes pilot project

Regional Council has also granted pre-budget approval for a micro-homes pilot project consisting of an estimated 10 units to provide temporary supportive housing on Regionally owned lands in Oshawa, which were acquired for the Gibb Street and Olive Avenue road realignment and widening project. This location is ideal for micro-homes as it is already serviced. Once the scheduled road work commences at this location, the units can easily be relocated to a more permanent site. Regional employees continue to work with local municipalities and the faith-based community to identify locations for other micro-housing projects. The Region will issue an expression of interest for micro-home manufacturers to showcase product offerings.

It is anticipated that the micro-homes and modular units will be ready for occupancy in 2021.

These innovative housing projects support the goals of At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024. In November 2019, Regional Council reaffirmed its commitment to this plan—to improve affordability and access to housing, protect the existing affordable housing supply, encourage housing diversity, and build capacity in the housing system. For more information, please visit durham.ca/AtHome.

Quotes

“The COVID-19 crisis has brought the needs of our unsheltered residents to the forefront. These innovative projects support our commitment to end homelessness in Durham by 2024. Having these new units in Beaverton and Oshawa brings us one step closer to reaching this goal. Investing in our vulnerable populations will increase the well-being of the entire community as we deal with the ongoing health pandemic.”

- Regional Chair and CEO John Henry

“Regional Council approved undertaking a comprehensive housing strategy earlier this year, which allowed staff to explore short and long-term approaches to the development of supportive housing throughout the region. We continue to work with local municipalities and our community partners to identify available lands that can be used for more permanent housing. Our partners are vital in helping us meet the needs of this vulnerable population, providing many support services to the community and working with us to develop innovative solutions.”

- Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.