A new Whitby Homelessness Task Force has been created by the town to focus and partner on several initiatives related to shelter, food security, and other supports for those experiencing homelessness.
As Durham Region, including Whitby, continues to rapidly grow, more people are experiencing homelessness than ever before. The need for shelter is outpacing available community supports. Food security is also a growing concern, said a town statement.
It said Whitby is taking action to address this need in the community by working with partners from across Durham to create a more integrated and accessible system of supports to help those in need.
Current initiatives include:
- A new shelter for individuals, seniors, and families experiencing homelessness – the town is supporting the Region of Durham in their work to convert the former Sunnycrest Nursing Home, now referred to as 1635 Dundas, into a shelter with wrap-around supports. The region announced they will initially open the shelter to 45 residents, with the longer-term vision to offer a co-ordinated and accessible service delivery model that supports people, creates a sense of belonging, and meets individualized needs. There will be opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement.
- Durham’s first family shelter – the town has partnered with the Region of Durham to establish the region’s first family shelter at 316 Colborne Street West. Renovations will take place over the fall with a planned opening in late 2023. The shelter will house up to four families with children.
- A ‘marketplace model’ foodbank for working families and individuals – the town is working with Feed the Need in Durham to establish a ‘marketplace model’ foodbank in Whitby that would offer evening and/or weekend hours for working families and individuals. The Mayor’s Community Development Fund provided Feed the Need with a $15,000 Lead Grant to establish this marketplace model in Whitby. A location for the foodbank is being explored.
- Programming to support those experiencing homelessness in Whitby – the town is working with the Region of Durham, Salvation Army, and Whitby Public Library with the desire to re-purpose 117 King Street (the former overnight warming program) to offer programs and support services for those experiencing homelessness.
“Homelessness is a growing issue in Whitby and across Durham, and many individuals, seniors, and families are currently living without a roof over their heads or a secure source of food. These are basic rights that should be available to everyone, which is why it is critical that we act now to address these community needs,” said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy.
She pointed out that the new shelter in Whitby is one example of how the town is working with partners to create a broader system of supports to help most vulnerable residents. “The town is leading with care and compassion, and I’m calling on our community to do the same. Life circumstances such as family breakdown, abuse, job loss, addiction, or mental health challenges can leave someone in crisis and without a home – homelessness can happen to anyone.”
Quick Facts
- One of the action items in Whitby’s new Community Strategic Plan is to “work with partners to support and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with shelter and support services.”
- Durham is currently the fastest-growing region in Canada, with Whitby alone expecting an additional 101,000+ residents by 2051.
- Almost 300 people are currently on the Region of Durham’s homelessness “by-name list”, up from about 209 people in December 2021. This list keeps track of people experiencing chronic homelessness and includes individuals, seniors, and families.
- As a participant in the Canada-wide change effort Built for Zero Canada (BFZ-C) campaign, the Region of Durham is committed to ending chronic homelessness and look to house the most vulnerable individuals and families in Durham by 2025. A public dashboard to track progress toward this goal can be found here.
- In 2022, more than 550 Whitby residents got help from Durham’s homelessness support and co-ordinated access system.
- Whitby’s new Homelessness Task Force includes members from the Town of Whitby, Whitby Public Library, Durham Region Income, Employments and Homelessness Supports Division, Durham Regional Police, Salvation Army, and the Downtown Whitby’s Business Improvement Area (BIA).
More information on these initiatives, as well as supports and contacts available to help those experiencing homelessness, can be found on Whitby’s new dedicated Community Supports webpage.