Supporting unsheltered residents during COVID-19

Whitby, Ontario – As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the Durham Region Social Services Department continues working with community partners to ensure support is available for those who need it most.

The Region of Durham is actively co-ordinating the COVID-19 response for unsheltered residents, enhancing the shelter system in order to provide more support to these at-risk individuals. Some notable steps that have already been taken include:

• Extended funding for our overnight warming centres to increase and maintain capacity of the shelter system.
• Working with shelter operators and Durham Region Health Department to ensure that staff, volunteers and guests are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support clients who have symptoms.
• Secured hotel partnerships to expand capacity of the shelter system to ensure distancing, isolation of at-risk clients, and isolation of clients pending test results.
• Securing a larger facility to support the shelter system’s COVID-19 response.
• Working with our community partners to coordinate resources to ensure unsheltered residents can access washroom facilities, food security, shelter and outreach support.

Local outreach support agencies, shelters and overnight warming centres remain open throughout Durham Region. Please visit durham.ca/EmergencyShelters to learn more about the options available for those who require assistance. Information about emergency supports for unsheltered residents is updated daily online through The Gap Committee.

Individuals who wish to access these services are also advised that these support agencies are following the advice of the Region’s Health Department, to help prevent the spread of illness. This includes practising proper hand hygiene and social distancing; coughing or sneezing into one’s sleeve or a tissue; active screening by staff at entrances; and increasing cleaning and disinfecting measures.

The Social Services Department will continue working with the community to ensure the health and safety of Durham Region’s most vulnerable populations. If residents or organizations are looking for ways to help, please visit durham.ca/CommunityResources to find contact information.

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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“Our social services staff and community partners are working hard to ensure that Durham’s most vulnerable residents are not forgotten during this pandemic. We will continue working with the shelters and looking at other supports to do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of at-risk individuals. Again, I want to thank everyone who is stepping up to help one another—together we are Durham strong.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.