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Durham Region Allocates Funds for Affordable Housing Initiatives

The Region of Durham has allocated $17.7 million to develop 209 affordable rental units across Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, Uxbridge, and Whitby. The funding is part of the At Home Incentive Program, which has a third call for applications closing on December 11, with $5.75 million available. The program aims to address barriers to housing such as limited income and health-related issues by providing emergency shelters and transitional housing.

Transitional housing projects, like Beaverton Heights and Oshawa Micro-homes, offer temporary accommodation with support services to help residents transition to permanent housing. The Region's Winter Warming Plan will operate from December 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, providing shelter during extreme cold weather alerts.

Durham's Street Outreach Teams work to connect unsheltered residents with services, including emergency shelters. The Region supports over 7,000 households with affordable housing through various benefits and supplements. Efforts to increase affordable housing include redeveloping properties owned by the Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation and exploring new opportunities at sites like the former Ritson School.

John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, highlighted the Region's commitment to increasing affordable rental housing to meet urgent needs.