Community Supports
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Town of Whitby
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.
Homeless Supports and Services In 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.
Homeless Supports in Whitby
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.
The Town of Whitby is taking action to address this need in the community by working with partners from across Durham to create a more integrated and accessible system of supports to help those in need. A new 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. |
| Food Banks |
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The Town is working with Feed the Need in Durham to establish a “marketplace model” foodbank in Whitby that would offer evening and/or weekend hours for working families and individuals. The Mayor’s Community Development Fund provided Feed the Need with a $15,000 Lead Grant to establish this marketplace model in Whitby. A location for the foodbank is being explored. 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. |
| Encampments |
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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) |
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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Naloxone Kits for Businesses |
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Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Businesses can find out if they are required to have a naloxone kit at their workplace, get a kit for free, and access training on how to use it. |
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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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