The Whitby homelessness crisis is prompting Mayor Elizabeth Roy to renew calls for stronger provincial support as Ontario municipalities confront growing homelessness, mental health and addiction pressures.
Roy joined other members of Ontario’s Big City Mayors in supporting the latest phase of the Solve the Crisis campaign, called “Reaction to Recovery.”
The campaign urges Ontario to significantly expand treatment and recovery services while municipalities argue that property taxpayers cannot continue carrying a growing share of health and social-service costs.
Durham Homelessness Numbers Continue to Rise
According to figures cited by Roy, at least 1,871 people are experiencing homelessness across Durham Region, including 338 in Whitby.
Those numbers should be treated as the latest figures cited by the mayor rather than as a complete count of every person experiencing homelessness, since people not connected with the Region’s system may not be included.
Local governments have responded with shelter, transitional housing and other supports, including the Region of Durham’s facility at 1635 Dundas Street East in Whitby.
The shelter opened in March 2024 and has operated at or near capacity.
$40 Million Supporting Whitby Shelter Expansion
The federal government announced $40 million through the Affordable Housing Fund in January to support Phase 2 of 1635 Dundas Street East.
The second and third floors are being transformed into supportive and transitional housing providing a total of 104 beds.
Planned services include addiction recovery support, palliative care for seniors experiencing homelessness, a medical clinic and other wraparound services intended to help residents move toward permanent housing.
Whitby HART Hub Has Already Launched
Whitby is also receiving additional mental health and addiction support through a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub.
Ontario officially launched the Whitby HART Hub in March 2026, with Durham Community Health Centre serving as the lead agency.
Services are currently being provided through an interim DCHC location in Oshawa while a permanent Whitby HART Hub site is planned to open during 2026–27.
The hub connects clients with services including primary care, addiction treatment, mental health supports, system navigation, peer support, case management and transitional housing.
Mayors Launch ‘Reaction to Recovery’
Ontario’s Big City Mayors says its renewed campaign is intended to move the provincial response from crisis intervention toward longer-term recovery.
Among its requests are expanded and timely access to treatment, a dedicated provincial minister responsible for mental health and addictions, reviews of existing mental-health and consent legislation and expanded addiction treatment in correctional institutions.
The mayors are also continuing their call for Ontario to recognize homelessness, mental health and addictions as a provincial emergency.
Roy argues municipalities cannot address the crisis alone and says she will continue advocating for increased provincial involvement as Whitby mayor and chair of Durham Region’s Health and Social Services Committee.
The Whitby homelessness crisis and related mental health and addiction pressures are expected to remain major issues for both municipal and provincial governments as new housing and recovery programs roll out.
