Temporary shelter program at Camp Samac comes to an end

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region’s temporary shelter program at Camp Samac in Oshawa—referred to as In/Out of the Crisis (IOTC)—is closing, but the success of the program will leave a lasting impact on the 109 people who were supported through this unique supportive housing model.

The IOTC program at Camp Samac started on May 1 as a way to help “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 by increasing physical distancing in Durham’s shelter system. Clients who stayed at Camp Samac had access to 24/7 supports and services—including on-site mental health supports, virtual health supports, addictions supports, housing outreach supports, access to laundry services and meals provided by Durham College. Clients also accessed on-site income supports including Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program applications to increase their income. There were no cases of COVID-19 among IOTC clients nor staff.

The program will officially end on September 14, and all current clients exiting the IOTC Program are being transitioned into housing opportunities to end their homelessness. Moving forward, residents experiencing homelessness will be served through the existing shelter system.

The Region of Durham would like to thank Scouts Canada and all partners involved in making this great program happen to support people in need. First Light Foundation of Hope and Christian Faith Outreach Center were the lead agencies on site, along with representatives from Durham Mental Health Services and Ontario Works. Durham College provided meals, and many local community agencies provided donations.

Learn more about the success of the IOTC program at Camp Samac by watching a short video, available online at durham.ca/CampSamac.

Quick Facts

• Over four and a half months, 109 clients were served through the IOTC program; and 76 of these clients were assisted with Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program through on-site services.
• With the program closing, all current clients have been connected to housing and are in varying stages of moving into their new accommodations (including Salvation Army’s Housing Program, Durham Mental Health Services Housing Program, as well as independent accommodations).
• Durham Region’s housing plan, At Home In Durham, aims to end homelessness by 2024.

Quotes

“During a state of emergency, it is more important than ever not to let anyone fall through the cracks, and ensure all residents have access to shelter. I am extremely proud of the success we saw through the IOTC Program at Camp Samac: we saw clients get needed health supports, connect with social assistance programs like Ontario Works, re-connect with family, and most importantly—find housing. We are using lessons learned from IOTC to inform future, permanent supportive housing developments—such as our new project in Beaverton. It’s all part of our greater goal to end homelessness in Durham Region by 2024.”

- Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services

“As a community we were able to come together quickly, removed barriers and self-interest to provide safe, supportive shelter for our vulnerable residents. I am so proud that Durham Mental Health Services was a major partner with our other providers in this creative and highly successful project. DMHS workers were successful in transitioning seven clients to permanent supported housing. We have much work ahead as we remind ourselves that Hope is Essential.”

- Rob Adams, CEO Durham Mental Health Services

“IOTC has been able to offer a safe space to individuals who have been living unsheltered, giving them an opportunity to experience what sheltered community living, three consistent meals, daily routines, ready access to healthcare and 24/7 wraparound support in an abstinence-based environment can offer. For many, it has been a new lease on life and provided hope. In our opinion, this model support to the unsheltered is certainly a great silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity, see individuals gather a new lease on life and strengthen community supports."

- Marla Walters, IOTC Program Director, Christian Faith Outreach Centre  

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.