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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: December 1, 2025 Report Number: CAO-023-25
Authored by: Melissa Westover, Manager of Strategic Communications & Initiatives
Submitted By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO
By-law Number: Resolution Number:
File Number:
Report Subject: Homelessness Update
Recommendation:
1.That Report CAO-023-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received for information.
GG-192-25
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report CAO-023-25
Report Overview
. This includes an update about Clarington’s
Clarington’s
1. Background
Local Context and Actions
1.1 An issue facing many communities across Ontario and Canada, t here is a growing
population of people in Clarington who are living without stable, permanent, appropriate
housing.
1.2 The Regional Municipality of Durham is legislated by the Province of Ontario as the
Service System Manager for all Durham municipalities under the Housing Services Act,
2011. This means the Region plans, funds and delivers homelessness services for
individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In April 2025, the Region presented
an update about homelessness to Clarington Council.
1.3 Through Clarington’s Strategic Plan, C.2.5 prioritizes supporting the proactive
management of community safety and well-being. Clarington Staff from the Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion and Community Development teams sit on the Region’s
Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan committee, to support the local implementation
of the plan.
1.4 Since 2023, Staff from the CAO’s Office have met with the Regional Homelessness
System Manager on a monthly basis to discuss and advocate for local issues and
coordinate support where possible. This ongoing collaboration led to the facilitation of a
Winter Warming Centre in an underused municipal building, which is further detailed in
section 2 - Winter Warming.
1.5 Clarington is committed to collaborating with local organizations, stakeholders, and
residents to develop effective strategies and programs for assisting the unsheltered
population; and have continued to meet on an ongoing basis Clarington Library,
Museum and Archives; ICONIC (Integrated Community Outreach Network In
Clarington); joined the Clarington Board of Trade’s Leadership Discussion panel about
Unhoused in Clarington; and other community partners to identify opportunities to
proactively collaborate and respond to homelessness locally.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report CAO-023-25
1.6 In November 2025, the Community Services Division engaged the Region of Durham to
provide a two-day training session for front-line staff, including building operations staff,
to build capacity on how to support unsheltered individuals accessing recreation
facilities and other Municipal buildings.
1.7 In June 2025, following the identification of a need for access to shower services for the
unsheltered population, Council directed staff to work with the Region to facilitate the
use of a Municipal facility to provide shower access outside of the Winter Warming
program duration. The Region identified the best location to be at the municipally-owned
132 Church St, Bowmanville (old firehall building), within the John Howard Society of
Durham Region offices. JHS is the designated Community Access Point for the
Region’s Homelessness Coordinated Access System, and has agreed to facilitate the
shower access during business hours. Staff are currently su pporting the Region to
undertake required renovations to the existing washrooms to add an accessible shower,
and the service is scheduled to open by April 1, to coincide with the end of the Winter
Warming season.
1.8 On December 3, the Municipality of Clarington, in partnership with ICONIC, Gathering
Place, and the Region of Durham, is hosting a viewing of the film “Us & Them” to
engage the community on the realities of homelessness. “Us & Them” is a
documentary-style film following the story of homeless individuals through their eyes.
Following the film, a panel of speakers will answer questions and discuss strategies to
address homelessness in Clarington. The event aims to challenge stereotypes,
humanize the issue of homelessness, and engage residents in meaningful conversation
about local solutions. The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at Garnet B. Rickard
and is free to attend. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of a pair of new-
condition mittens or socks, which will be collected and distributed by local volunteers
with The Seeds of Hope Project.
1.9 The Municipality of Clarington has a website with a comprehensive list of all supports
and resources available locally, including contact information for Durham Region’s
Street Outreach team, food banks, drop-in programs, and other support services. This is
kept up to date on an ongoing basis based on information from community partners.
2. Winter Warming
2.1 In fall 2024, through CAO-005-24, Council approved a short-term lease the former
Tourism Office at 181 Liberty Street South to the Regional Municipality of Durham to
operate an accessible Winter Warming Centre from November 2024 to April 2025,
addressing the growing homelessness challenge in Clarington.
2.2 In April 2025, following the successful first pilot season of Winter Warming at the former
Tourism Office, Council approved the ongoing use of the facility as a Warming Centre
through CAO-008-25. The facility is leased to the Region of Durham for a nominal rent
to cover costs incurred (electricity, snow clearing, etc.). The Region’s Winter Warming
program, which has locations Durham, runs from December 1 to March 31 annually.
Municipality of Clarington Page 4
Report CAO-023-25
2.3 In September 2025, David Moss, St. Paul's United Church/St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, delegated to General Government Committee calling for an extension of
operations at the Winter Warming Centre, for an additional four weeks from November
15 to April 15.
2.4 Through Resolution #GG-132-25, Council directed staff to coordinate with Durham
Region on a response to the request; and to identify efforts that Clarington can use to
lever on existing attempts to get the Federal and Provincial government step up.
2.5 Staff brought this recommendation to the Region of Durham, and received a written
response outlining the Region’s inability to extend Clarington’s Warming Centre’s as
they prioritize the allocation of any resources toward the expanding system capacity
across Durham through the development of additional shelter beds, given the continued
growth of the By-Name List. The letter can be found in Attachment 1.
2.6 The Region of Durham, through consultation with Municipal staff, have reviewed the
Building Code requirements of the Winter Warming Centre and identified the ability to
expand the capacity from 10 people to 20 people for the 2025-26 winter season,
through a combination of cots and chairs.
3. Advocacy
3.1 The Municipality is facing several challenges, including homelessness, healthcare,
housing, and a widening municipal funding gap to support resident's quality of life.
3.2 In December 2024, through Resolution #GG-206-24, the Municipality of Clarington
supports Ontario Big City Mayor’s SolvetheCrisis.ca Campaign and requested that the
Provincial and Federal Governments take action to address the Growing Mental Health,
Addictions and Homelessness Crisis in Ontario.
3.3 Staff will continue to identify and pursue advocacy opportunities through established
networks, including Ontario Big City Mayors, the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Leveraging these broader
networks will strengthen our influence and amplify our voice on this important issue.
4. Financial Considerations
Not Applicable.
5. Strategic Plan
C.2.5: Support the proactive management of community safety and well -being.
6. Climate Change
Not Applicable.
Municipality of Clarington Page 5
Report CAO-023-25
7. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed and concurred by the Deputy CAO, Public Services and
the Deputy CAO, Legislative Services.
8. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that Council receive this report for information.
Staff Contact: Melissa Westover, Manager of Strategic Communications and Initiatives,
mwestover@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Letter from Durham Region about request for extended Winter Warming
hours
Interested Parties:
The following interested parties will be notified of Co uncil's decision:
David Moss and Laura McLelland, ICONIC
Sahar Foroutani, Region of Durham
The Regional
Municipality of
Durham
Social Services
Department
605 Rossland Rd. E.
PO Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3
Canada
905-668-7711
1-800-372-1102
durham.ca
Sahar Foroutani
Area Manager,
Homeless System
Management
Sent Via Email
September 29, 2025
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
40 Temperance Street,
Bowmanville, ON
L1C 3A6
RE: Winter Warming Centre Extension of Hours
Thank you for your correspondence dated September 24, 2025,
regarding Resolution #C-191-25 and the request to extend hours for
the Winter Warming Centre in Clarington.
Durham Region remains committed to working collaboratively with
Clarington and all local area municipalities to ensure that Winter
Warming Centres can operate effectively across all communities. We
recognize the importance of providing safe, warm spaces for
individuals experiencing homelessness, especially during extreme
weather conditions.
The proposed extension of operational dates would have system-
wide implications for the Winter Warming Program, including staffing
requirements, resource allocation, and coordination among multiple
service providers. At this time, the Region will maintain a
standardized operating schedule for Winter Warming Centres,
running annually from December 1 to March 31.
While the extension of operating hours is an important consideration,
the Region must prioritize the allocation of any resources toward the
development of additional shelter beds, given the continued growth of
the By-Name List. Expanding system capacity remains essential to
The Regional
Municipality of
Durham
Social Services
Department
605 Rossland Rd. E.
PO Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3
Canada
905-668-7711
1-800-372-1102
durham.ca
Sahar Foroutani
Area Manager,
Homeless System
Management
ensuring that a greater number of individuals have reliable access to
safe and stable accommodations.
Durham Region continues to work closely with Clarington to address
local homelessness needs and greatly values Clarington’s ongoing
efforts and advocacy.
We continue to encourage community members to contact
homelesshelp@durham.ca with any concerns or requests for support
related to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Thank you,
Sahar Foroutani
Area Manager, Homeless System Management
Income, Employment and Homelessness Supports Division
Social Services Department
The Regional Municipality of Durham