The homeless at an encampment in Ajax will have to wait longer this freezing winter to find new shelter space.
The encampment on regional property on Achilles Road, represents a critical situation requiring urgent action, said the regional municipality. It been looking to lease shelter space. “Due to increasing need across our communities, the Region of Durham is working to expand emergency shelter space.”
The region said, according to the Town of Ajax, that it was planning to open a 24/7 emergency shelter and hub at 130 Commercial Avenue in Ajax, in early December.
“Unfortunately, terms of the lease agreement for the building changed during negotiations and as a result, the region will not be leasing the property. The region is working with the Town of Ajax to identify solutions to bring people indoors,” it said.
Dire Need Of Shelter: Collier
Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier said he was disappointed that the region and landlord weren’t able to come to an agreement on the lease for 130 Commercial Avenue.
“This site would have supported the relocation of individuals at the established encampment at Achilles Road and Harwood Avenue, as well as others in dire need of shelter.
“Our priority now is to work with the region to help them identify suitable spaces to bring people indoors and initiate the removal of the encampment. While not a permanent solution, a 24/7 winter warming centre is being operated at the Ajax Hub for those in need of a safe and warm indoor space,” said Mayor Collier.
Earlier Story
Ajax Homeless: Region’s urgent action over critical situation
Shelters must meet strict fire-code and safety standards, and sometimes landlords shift the cost of those upgrades onto the Region at the last minute. A sudden demand like “You must pay for sprinkler upgrades” or “You must repair the HVAC system first” can add hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If this is what happened here, then the failure lies with the city and its planning—not the people needing shelter. This kind of behaviour is exactly why Toronto’s shelter system struggles with unsafe and unhealthy conditions. When conservative-leaning decisions prioritize slum-level standards to save money, the long-term risk doesn’t fall on politicians — it falls on the property owners and, ultimately, the vulnerable people forced to live in these conditions.