The Region of Durham and Township of Brock reach agreement for Beaverton Supportive Housing Project

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham and the Township of Brock have reached an agreement related to the Beaverton Supportive Housing project. This decision will help to ensure site plan approval and necessary building permits that will allow the project to move forward.

The Beaverton Supportive Housing Project will address the urgent need for housing and services in north Durham. In the past year, more than 100 people from north Durham have reached out to Durham’s homelessness support system for support

Offering 30 spaces for people on the By-Name list and 17 spaces for those not on the By-Name list but who require the supports provided at this site, this modular housing development will provide accommodation and access to wrap-around services to help promote life stabilization.

Priority access will be given to unsheltered residents in north Durham—including individuals from the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge—who require this level of service, after life circumstances have left them without a place to call home.

This project will also include a new service hub for north Durham—providing access to support services, including mental health and addictions support; medical care (virtual and/or on-site); financial assistance; rental and tenant support; life skills teaching/counselling; and addictions counselling.

The Beaverton Supportive Housing Project was proposed as part of the Expedited Supportive Housing Report, and approved by Regional Council for expedited development on July 29, 2020. It supports At Home In Durham, a comprehensive plan to end homelessness across Durham Region through the creation of at least 1,000 new affordable housing units, supportive housing developments and the revitalization of social housing.

Learn more about the project at durham.ca/SupportiveHousing.

Quotes

“Regardless of one’s life circumstances, we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect—including having a roof over our heads. The Beaverton Supportive Housing project will provide a place to call home—a place where people can access the services they need, to help them get back on their feet again.”

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

“We are very pleased with the agreement made with the Township of Brock and look forward to continued collaboration as we move forward with the Beaverton Supportive Housing Project. This modular housing development will help address an urgent need in north Durham and we are excited to proceed with this project.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Durham Region

“Life circumstances – such as job loss, family breakdown, abuse, addictions or mental health challenges—can result in crisis and leave some community members without a place to call home. This project will make a positive impact by setting vulnerable residents up for success through housing and access to the services and supports they need. It will also bring much-needed services to all north Durham residents through the service hub. I look forward to this important resource being available to residents soon.”

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

Quick Facts

• The Beaverton Supportive Housing Project was proposed as part of the Expedited Supportive Housing Report, and approved by Regional Council for expedited development on July 29, 2020.
• The Region will use funds from the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI). The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provided funding approval under the Canada-Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (Year 2) on September 14, 2020.
• OrgCode Consulting, Inc. was retained by the Region of Durham to provide an objective and independent study, the Beaverton Supportive Housing Suitability Study.
• This project supports At Home In Durham, a comprehensive plan to end homelessness across Durham Region through the creation of at least 1,000 new affordable housing units, supportive housing developments and the revitalization of social housing. Visit durham.ca/AtHome for more information.

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