Whitby shelter funding is receiving a major boost as more than $53 million has been committed to expand services at the emergency shelter located at 1635 Dundas Street East.
The funding partnership includes $40 million from the federal government through the National Housing Strategy’s Affordable Housing Fund and $13.7 million from Durham Region. The investment will support Phase 2 of the project, which aims to significantly expand housing and health services for people experiencing homelessness.
As part of the expansion, 104 new transitional and supportive housing beds will be built on the second and third floors of the facility. In addition, the existing 45 emergency shelter beds will be retrofitted to better support residents.
The expanded shelter will also include an on-site medical clinic, addictions recovery support, palliative care for seniors, and administrative services designed to help individuals transition from homelessness into permanent housing.
The facility, which opened in 2024 after being converted from a former long-term care home, has consistently operated near capacity. Despite some community opposition during the early planning stages, regional and federal officials say the investment is essential to addressing homelessness in Durham Region.
Officials emphasized that the Whitby shelter funding initiative represents a coordinated effort to create long-term housing solutions while improving health and social outcomes for vulnerable residents.
