Third annual update on comprehensive housing plan now available

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham released the 2017 Annual Report for At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024. At Home in Durham is a comprehensive 10-year plan to address housing and homelessness in our region, and focuses on four key goals: End Homelessness in Durham, Affordable Housing for Everyone, Greater Housing Choice, and Strong and Vibrant Neighbourhoods.

The third in a series of updates, the 2017 Annual Report provides qualitative and quantitative measures of the progress of At Home in Durham. It highlights current and future initiatives, including:

Reported zero chronically homeless households for the past two years—well ahead of the province’s target to eliminate chronic homelessness by 2025.
Allocated $23.7 million in Canada-Ontario Investments in Affordable Housing – 2014 extension and Social Infrastructure Fund funding for the development of 168 new affordable rental units in both the non-profit and private sectors, which will increase the supply to 529 units by 2019.
Implemented a new Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH) online selection system for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) and modified unit vacancies—the only fully vacancy-driven housing waiting list in the province. This system helps applicants take a more active role in selecting accommodation that is most appropriate for them.
Allocated $5.5 million under the Social Infrastructure Fund Social Housing Improvement Program for critical repair and renovation work at 14 social housing projects, including two Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation (DRLHC) locations.
Working to establish an operating framework for creating new partnerships with non-profit housing related organizations, as the existing providers reach the end dates of their Operating Agreements and/or mortgages.

Where: To access the 2017 Annual Report, previous annual reports, and At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024, please visit durham.ca/housingreview. Printed copies of these documents are also available upon request by calling the Housing Services Division at 905-668-7711 (or toll-free at 1-800-372-1102).

Why: In accordance with the Housing Services Act, 2011, the Region is required to report annually, by June 30, to the public and the Ministry of Housing on the progress of the plan in achieving the four goals. In addition, a five-year review of the plan, including public consultations, will be completed by January 2019.

Note: Durham Regional Council approved At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024 in June 2014, following extensive community consultation.

In June 2016, Regional Council also established the Affordable and Seniors’ Housing Task Force to identify strategies that support the creation and maintenance of affordable rental and seniors’ housing. It is anticipated that the report and recommendations of the Task Force (expected this fall) will inform the five-year review and future direction of At Home in Durham.

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.