The number of people on the region’s by-name home-insecure list has more than doubled since August last year, according to the latest statistics.
The latest data shows at least 1,871 people experiencing homelessness, said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy yesterday. She is also Chair of Region of Durham’s Health and Social Services Committee.
In August of last year, the list had some 811 people on it. The list does not include the homeless who have not registered with the region.
Mayor Roy said of the 1,871 homeless, 338 of them were in Whitby. The shelter at 1635 Dundas Street in Whitby has operated at or near capacity ever since it opened in 2024 is clear evidence of the urgent and growing need.
1635 Dundas Street Expansion
Earlier this year, the federal government announced a $40 million investment in Phase 2 of the facility. The expansion will provide wraparound supports to help people move from homelessness into permanent housing, including transitional housing, addiction recovery, palliative care, and a medical clinic.
Oshawa is, and Whitby will also be, home to a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, led by Durham Community Health Centre. The hub will connect people experiencing addiction and mental health challenges with treatment, recovery services, primary care, supportive housing, and employment supports.
Big City Mayors Initiative
Mayor Roy joined Ontario’s Big City Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario this weekend to launch the next phase of the Solve the Crisis campaign: Reaction to Recovery.
As mental health, addictions, and homelessness are at crisis levels; Solve the Crisis project was created by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, who represent nearly 70 per cent of Ontario’s population.
Taxpayers Can’t Continue To Carry The Cost
“Municipalities have stepped up by investing in shelters, outreach, supportive housing, community safety initiatives, and partnerships with frontline organizations. But we can’t solve a province-wide health and social services crisis on our own, and municipal property taxpayers can’t continue carrying these growing costs,” Mayor Roy pointed out”
The next phase of the Solve the Crisis campaign: Reaction to Recovery calls for:
- Expanded and timely access to recovery and treatment programs
- A dedicated Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, supported by appropriate funding
- A review of the Mental Health Act and Health Care Consent Act
- Expanded addiction treatment and rehabilitation programs in provincial and federal correctional institutions
- A declaration of emergency recognizing the severity of the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis
“We know there are successful models across Canada. What Ontario needs now is the leadership, political will, and sustained investment to put effective solutions in place here. The status quo is not an option. The human and financial costs of inaction are simply too high,” said Roy.
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