Working Together
One of our most important partners in helping create a caring and safe community for everyone in our city is The Regional Municipality of Durham.
The Region of Durham is responsible for delivering social services, such as social housing and public health in all Durham Region municipalities, including Oshawa. Additionally, the Durham Advisory Committee on Homelessness provides advice to Regional Council through the Health and Social Services Committee on homelessness issues
Regional services and community outreach programs are listed below.
| Unsheltered supports |
Durham Region to collaborate with community partners on Oshawa Micro-Housing ProjectThe Regional Municipality of Durham announced in July they will partner with Lakeridge Health, Ontario Tech University and Durham College on the Oshawa Micro-Housing Pilot Project. The Oshawa Micro-Housing Pilot Project is a 10-unit micro-home community in central Oshawa that will offer temporary transitional housing with various supports, including financial assistance, employment services, mental health and addictions supports, life skills teaching and more. Occupancy is projected for fall 2021. Additional SupportsThrough a collaborative effort, outreach workers continue to connect with vulnerable and unsheltered individuals in the Oshawa community to offer connections to services and shelter and provide essential supplies, including hygiene products. Additionally, various social services agencies in Oshawa provide warming stations and centres and offer washroom facilities and meals. The Gap CommitteeThe Committee has launched a new website, www.gapcommittee.ca that features information and resources within Durham Region for the following:
Durham Region’s new Community Resources webpageDurham Region Social Services Department webpage, Durham.ca/CommunityResources compiles local resources available for vulnerable individuals, including those who are concerned about income, shelter, food security, mental health or transportation. The webpage also includes information on community agencies that are actively seeking volunteers to help support fellow Durham Region residents during this challenging time. |
| Primary Care Outreach Program |
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The concept of a mobile health unit on local streets was first brought forth in 2017 by a motion from Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter (a Regional and City Councillor at the time) to bring services to people who are unsheltered in our community. Launched in July 2018, the Region's Primary Care Outreach Program (P.C.O.P.) connects an advanced care paramedic and a social worker with individuals who may be homeless, dealing with mental health or addiction issues, or unable to seek medical care, counselling, or other services. Since the launch of the Primary Care Outreach Program:
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| Opioids and Overdose Prevention |
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Durham Region Health Department, in partnership with the Durham Region Opioid Task Force, has a four-part video series intended to encourage residents to learn more about stigma and its impact on substance and opioid use disorders. Each video features perspectives of individuals within the community including people with lived experience, addiction medicine professionals, members of the Indigenous community, Durham Regional Police Chief Paul Martin, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter and Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health. Let more about opioids and opioid awareness and videos on the Region's website. |
| Housing outreach and eviction prevention |
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The Region's Housing Stability Program can help those who are behind in their rent and are at risk of eviction. Additionally, the Region has housing outreach workers and eviction prevention workers available to help residents. In Oshawa, housing outreach and eviction prevention workers can be contacted through the John Howard Society at 905-579-8482. For more information, visit the Region’s Housing Outreach and Eviction Prevention webpage. |
| Salvation Army Housing Retention Program |
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This program works to obtain permanent housing for those in need by securing two and three-bedroom homes and apartments that individuals within the program can share. The program seeks out community-centered landlords who want to make a difference, and pairs them with individuals who would not otherwise be likely candidates for rental opportunities. In 2018, the program helped 19 households obtain and retain housing. |
| Cornerstone's Bridges Street Outreach Program |
| Cornerstone expanded their services in 2018 to include a Bridges Street Outreach Program. The outreach team works to build relationships with those living unsheltered by providing practical services, such as showers, laundry services, personal hygiene care packages, food services, referrals to medical supports and assistance with finding housing. The team works as long-term case managers for clients. In 2018, the Bridges Street Outreach program successfully housed 15 individuals who had been living unsheltered. |
| Carea Community Health Centre |
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The Hepatitis C Team Program at Carea assists people at risk of acquiring, living with or affected by Hep C, including post-treatment for Hep C. The program offers comprehensive medical-and psycho-social support and treatment from an interprofessional team, which consists of a consulting Hepatologist, Hepatitis C Treatment Nurse, Outreach Worker, Psycho-social Support Worker and Team Coordinator. Carea’s Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Program provides confidential and anonymous support for people who use substances to help reduce the harm and risks associated with substance use disorder. |
| Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation |
| Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation has partnered with the Rogers Connected for Success program which provides high-speed Internet access at a lower cost to people living in rent-subsidized non-profit housing. Connected for Success is about bringing more people online and giving them access to the digital economy so they can connect with friends, family, school, work and their future. |