From food assistance and shelter services to mental health support and employment guidance, there are many community supports available to help those in need in Whitby and Durham Region.
If you have questions or are looking for support, contact the Region of Durham at 905-666-6239 or 1 888-721-0622 extension 5510 open from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., 7 days a week.
As Durham Region, including Whitby, continues to rapidly grow, more people and families are experiencing homelessness than ever before. The need for shelter is outpacing available community supports. Food security is also a growing concern.
A 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.
Here’s a list of local services and resources available to help.
Who To Call | ||||||
For general concerns, any Durham resident can provide feedback online. |
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Food Banks | ||||||
The Town has partnered with Feed the Need in Durham to open The Market – a new market-style food bank at Iroquois Park Sports Centre, helping to provide a more accessible, dignified, and equitable way for individuals to access food bank services and healthy food options in a community setting. The market will officially open on May 2 (2024) and be operated by Feed the Need in Durham, supported by volunteers and the Town of Whitby in an effort to address food insecurity in the community. Visit ftnd.ca under the "The Market" tab in the navigation bar for more information on how to access and support the new food bank. If you are looking for support or wish to support food banks in Whitby, please consider visiting or reaching out to the following organizations below. You can also open and download a map that includes locations and hours for Whitby food bank locations.
Visit the Region of Durham’s website for information on food centres available across the region. |
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Encampments | ||||||
The Town of Whitby and its partners are committed to leading with care and compassion, helping to support vulnerable people camping on public spaces to access safer and healthier alternatives to living outside. This includes housing, support services, and shelter. When it comes to encampments, while each individual case is unique, the Town is generally required to follow an approach with the Region where we determine the needs of the individual, whether they are seeking alternative shelter, and if so, whether that shelter is available. When it is available, we will work with our partners to transition those experiencing homelessness to more permanent housing, however where it is not available, we may be required to wait until it becomes available. It’s important to note that, as a result of changes in the law, outside of certain immediate health and safety concerns, the Town cannot immediately evict people experiencing homelessness from Town land. Where situations warrant (ex. evidence of criminal activity), the Town will work with Durham Region Police Services to address those concerns, including removal of encampments from Town property. To report a concern about a homeless encampment or unsheltered person, please call 905-668-7711, or toll-free 1-800-372-1102, or visit the Region of Durham's Housing-focused shelter programs web page. |
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Housing Supports (housing outreach or eviction prevention) |
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Durham RegionFor Whitby residents seeking additional housing support in Durham Region, the Region's website offers valuable resources. You can explore programs such as Housing Outreach, Eviction Prevention, Housing Programs, Stability, Extreme Cleaning, Hoarding Support, and Homelessness Prevention by the Brain Injury Association of Durham. To learn more on these housing supports in Durham Region, visit the Durham Region's Housing Supports webpage or contact the Region through the following: Email Address: Homelesshelp@Durham.ca John Howard SocietyJohn Howard Society is located in Downtown Whitby and can assist with various services, such as housing assistance, housing-related transportation, connections to other services, support negotiating with potential landlord or applying for housing programs. They can also help out through Project-X-Change with needle disposal. Located at: 114 Dundas Street East #200, Whitby |
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Hygiene Products |
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Free feminine hygiene products are available at the Brooklin Community Centre and Library, McKinney Centre, and all Whitby Public Libraries. Other hygiene products are available during food bank hours through the Salvation Army’s Whitby location at 710 McQuay Blvd open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. |
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Low Income Supports |
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Resources for Businesses |
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Shelters | ||||||
A few initiatives are currently being worked on related to providing shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Whitby:
Muslim Welfare Home425 Dundas Street East, Whitby Phone: 905-665-0424 or 1-866-666-1115 |
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Warming Centres |
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The Region of Durham has implemented a Winter Warming Plan to provide support to individuals without shelter during the winter months. To learn more on these supports in Durham Region, visit the Durham Region's Homeless Shelters webpage. |
If you are a woman fleeing violence or abuse, there is help and support available. You can go to an emergency shelter, which provide safety and support, and have many services available for victims of abuse. There are also many resources for women who have experienced abuse in the Region of Durham.
Emergency shelters for abused women in Durham |
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Durham region 24-hour help lines
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Province-wide 24-hour help lines |
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Left an abusive relationship and need help navigating the law?
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Visit: Luke’s Place 905-728-0978 For general inquiries: admin@lukesplace.ca For intake appointments or information on services: intake@lukesplace.ca Please don't provide confidential information in your email. |
Emergency shelters for abused men in Durham |
If you are a single man, or a man with children fleeing violence or abuse, you can go to Cornerstone Community Association. Cornerstone can provide shelter for men who need support to leave an abusive relationship. There are resources for men who have experienced abuse in the Region of Durham. |
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