Working Together

The Region leads the Oshawa Unsheltered Residents Task Force (O.U.R. Task Force), which was established in July 2018 to address the issue of unsheltered residents in Oshawa. O.U.R. Task Force includes key representatives from the Region, City of Oshawa, CAREA Community Health Centre, Cornerstone, Durham Regional Police Services, John Howard Society of Durham Region and other social services organizations.

O.U.R. was established following action from the City to bring together The Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham Regional Police Service and service providers to address the issue of unsheltered residents in Oshawa. It was through these City-initiated meetings that O.U.R. was formed.

Through 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.

Camp Samac Supporting Unsheltered Residents

To support physical distancing measures and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Durham Region has worked with community partners to temporarily open the In/Out of The Crisis (IOTC) program at Camp Samac. 

The Gap Committee

The Committee has launched a new website, www.gapcommittee.ca that features information and resources within Durham Region for the following:

• Community unsheltered supports
• Food locations and food banks
• Drop in centres
• Overnight warming locations
• Services and street outreach
• Housing security
• Transit updates
• Phone and online supports
• Food drives
• Violence against women services
• Information on message boards

Durham Region’s new Community Resources webpage

Durham Region Social Services Department has launched a new webpage, www.durham.ca/CommunityResources. The webpage 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.

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:

• 3,210 total encounters with vulnerable individuals 
• support provided to 570 individuals
• 672 referrals, with most referrals for housing and counselling (including addictions counselling), followed by referrals for medical/mental health services.
• 31 individuals housed

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.  

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. 

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.

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.