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Homelessness is a growing challenge for municipalities across Durham Region, Ontario, and Canada. It’s going to take time and a coordinated effort from all levels of government to address homelessness, housing, mental health, and addiction challenges. The Town of Ajax is committed to continuing our work with the local service manager, Durham Region and local community partners towards finding long-term solutions to the homelessness issue here in Ajax.

We work closely with the integral community entities that aid vulnerable populations in our Town and Region. Funding for these organizations is largely by provincial and regional governments, grant programs, donations and more. The Town of Ajax is an ally in ensuring these supports and resources are accessible by our community members.

Region of Durham
If you are looking for support in Durham Region or have questions and require assistance with navigating your path to care, visit the Region of Durham website or contact 905-668-7711 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 7 days a week.
Community & Homelessness Supports in Ajax
Who to Call
Ajax Shelters
 Winter Warming Centres
  • Christian Faith Outreach Centre: Ajax Hub
    24 hours, 7 days a week (drop-in)
    125 Commercial Ave., Ajax
    (905) 619-1918
    Criteria: 18 plus, all genders, pet-friendly
    Capacity: 25 plus spaces

Warming Centre FAQ & Community Guide
What We're Doing
Ajax Temporary Emergency Shelter

On November 8, 2022, Ajax Council approved the use of Town-owned space to temporarily shelter individuals experiencing homelessness in response to an urgent call from the Region of Durham. The shelter is fully funded by the Region and daily operations are managed by the Christian Faith Outreach Centre. Concerns regarding the shelter should be directed to Durham Region’s Social Services department. You can connect with them via the following form by clicking here.

Learn more about Council’s decision on temporary space for unsheltered.

Each month, the Town of Ajax will share information about the number of people receiving services at the emergency shelter. We hope that sharing this information will promote transparency.

 

Monthly Reports - 2024
Monthly Reports - 2023
 Monthly Reports - 2022
Ajax Locker Program
The Ajax Locker Program was launched in 2020 with funds from the Ajax Mayor’s Gala. Located on the south side of the Ajax Town Hall property on King’s Cres. at Exeter Rd. (facing what will be the new home of The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge), they will be administered by The Salvation Army Hope Church and Community Services (“TSA Hope”) and maintained in partnership between the Town and TSA Hope. To learn more about the Ajax Locker Program call TSA Hope at (905) 427-7123, or visit locker project in support of TOA's unsheltered and vulnerable.
Town of Ajax Shower Program

We are dedicated to the well-being of all Ajax residents and providing a safe environment for those in need.
Ajax Homelessness Task Force
In 2019, the Town of Ajax launched the Ajax Homelessness Task Force. The mission of the task force is to identify issues pertaining to homelessness in the Ajax area and advocate for solutions. In addition to Town staff and members of Council, the task force membership is made of representatives from local Non-Profits, service agencies, places of worship, and community members. To date, the Task Force has contributed to projects such as storage lockers for homeless individuals, out of the cold programs, and supporting local groups access funding. To find out more about the Ajax Homelessness Task Force, contact CDCD at 905-686-2661 or info@cdcd.org.
Ajax Mayor's Gala

Since it was launched by Mayor Shaun Collier in 2019, the Ajax Mayors Gala has raised more than $1 million for local charities and organizations. Of that, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated to resources for the unsheltered individuals in our community. Learn more about the Ajax Mayor's Gala at ajaxmayorsgala.com.
Safe Sharps Disposal
In Spring 2023, as a result of feedback from local businesses, the Town worked with the Region of Durham to support the installation of two sharps disposal bins in the Ajax Plaza. If you see sharps that have not been disposed of correctly, contact Ajax Operations and Environmental Services at 905-683-4550 or operations@ajax.ca.
Security and Debris Management
Security is a key priority. Ajax has Town-contracted secuirty patrols daily in the downtown core, including the Ajax Plaza, Pat Bayly Square, and downtown parks and green spaces, as well as increased securtiy presence at the Library Main Branch. 

Town staff also patrol the municipal property in the downtown and at the Ajax Plaza daily to clean up litter and debris.
Community Support Organizations
Regional
Local
Harm Reduction Resources

Community Support Events in Durham Region

  • Upcoming events will be updated on an on-going basis
Community Resources for Women Experiencing Violence or Abuse
Town of Ajax and Partners' Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) 2024 Report

The IPV Discussion & Workshop Report below provides details on key findings from the Workshop, including defining IPV, some strengths and successes, challenges and barriers to advocacy, intervention and prevention supports and opportunities for collaboration and potential prevention strategies. The report details a total of 13 action items for the Town, upper levels of government, service providers and community members - it is through these action items that continued advocacy, education and open dialogue are essential for creating meaningful change.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) 2024 Report
 Community Services
  • Durham DRIVEN
    • Supports women experiencing gender-based violence by providing many specialized services at one location.
    • Open every Monday with many different agencies on- and off-site.
    • 905-432-7233 or 1-877-723-3905
  • Women’s Multicultural Resource/Counselling Centre of Durham
    • Provides a variety of services for women of colour and immigrant/refugee women who have experienced abuse.
    • Offers crisis intervention, telephone support, one-on-one and group counselling, referrals, information, advocacy, and interpretation services.
    • 905-427-7849 or 1-877-454-4035
  • Canadian Mental Health Association
    • 905-436-8760 ext. 103 or 104
  • Catholic Family Services
    • Provides individual, group and family counselling for adults and children. All faiths are welcome.
    • Ajax: 905-428-1984
    • Port Perry: 905-985-4221
    • Oshawa: 905-725-3513
  • Family Services Durham
    • Provides individual, couple and family counselling as well as adult community support services.
    • Provides the Partner Assault Response program and the Partner Assault Response Partner Contact program.
    • Offices in Ajax, Beaverton, Bowmanville, Cannington, Port Perry, Sunderland, Uxbridge and Whitby
    • 1-866-840-6697 or 905-666-6240
  • Social Services – Income Support Intake Line
    • 1-877-678-6333 or 905-428-8982
    • Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Youthline
    • Open Sunday to Friday from 4-9:30 p.m.
    • 1-800-268-9688
  • 519 Anti-Violence Program
    • Counselling services and support groups for the LGBTQ community.
    • 416-392-6874
  • Carea Community Health Centre
    • Medical services, counselling services and group programs.
    • 905-723-0036
  • Children’s Aid Society of Durham (CAS)
    • Offers guidance, counselling and referral services to families whose children are at risk.
    • Investigates allegations that children are being abused or neglected.
    • 905-433-1551
  • Frontenac Youth Services
    • Supports adolescents and their families.
    • 1-877-455-5527 or 905-579-1551
  • Kinark Child and Family Services
    • Services and supports for children and youth with complex needs in the areas of child and youth mental health, autism and forensic mental health/youth justice.
    • 1-888-454-6275
  • Rose of Durham Young Parent Support Services:
    • Cost-free support groups and individual counselling for young parents.
    • 905-432-3622
  • Rituals for Recovery & Help Her Recover
    • Provides telehealth (virtual) trauma relief services for GBV survivors
    • Help Her Recover Project offers survivor and community programming, tools and resources
    • Provides trauma responsive workplace and school training/capacity-building facilitation
    • info@ritualsforrecovery.com / info@helpherrecover.org
    • 289-210-1258 / 1-844-760-0762
 Help Lines/Crisis Lines
  •  Assaulted Women’s Helpline
    • Provides 24-hour anonymous telephone counselling, support, and referrals to abused women throughout Ontario.
    • 1-866-863-0511
  • Durham Mental Health Services – Crisis Services
    • Provides phone support.
    • Has crisis beds and a mobile crisis team
    • 1-800-742-1890 or 905-666-0483
  • Crisis Intervention Team Lakeridge Health Oshawa
    • 905-576-8711 ext. 4384
  • Distress Centre Durham: Helpline
    • Offers 24-hour telephone support by trained volunteers to provide emotional support, crisis management and community referral information.
    • 1-800-452-0688 or 905-430-2522
  • Durham Region Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Care Centre
    • 24-hour emergency medical services and counselling support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
    • Provides medical care, forensic kits and documentation of injuries for victims. If you are 16 or older you can choose to have your injuries documented, but not reported to the police.
    • 905-576-8711
  • Durham Rape Crisis Centre
    • 24-hour crisis line provides support and programs for individuals of all ages who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and/or recent sexual violence.
    • Services include individual counselling, support groups, advocacy, and accompaniment to the hospital, police, and court proceedings.
    • 905-668-9200       
 Legal & Police Services
  • Victim Services of Durham Region
    • Offers short-term, immediate emotional and practical support to victims, their families, and witnesses of crime or tragic circumstances.

    • Services include - Free and confidential support, needs assessment and safety planning, referrals to community services, client follow-up to ensure ongoing support. Police involvement is not required to access support 

    • Provides information and support regarding the involvement of the police in domestic violence situations.

    • 1-888-579-1520 ext 3400

    • victimservices@drps.ca 
  • Victim/Witness Assistance Program
    • Provides services to victims of domestic violence or abuse who are involved in the criminal court process because of charges being laid against their abuser.
    • 905-743-2790
  • Family Law Information Centre
    • Provides information, referrals, and support about family court issues such as separation, divorce, child custody/access, child/spousal support, and restraining orders.
    • Provides assistance with applications for interim (emergency) court orders
    • 905-579-1988 or 1-877-294-6524
    • Walk in service: 150 Bond St. E, Oshawa, ON, on the first floor
  • Durham Community Legal Clinic
    • Provides legal representation to low-income Durham Region residents in some areas of law.
    • 905-728-7321 or 1-888-297-2202
  • Luke’s Place Support and Resource Centre
    • Luke's Place offers summary legal advice, family court support, and referrals to women after fleeing intimate partner violence. Their free legal clinic connects women across Ontario with lawyers for summary legal advice on family law issues. 
    • 905-728-0978 ext. 235, or toll free at 1-866-516-3116, ext. 235
  • Legal Aid Ontario Oshawa Office
    • 905-576-2334 or 1-866-595-0563
  • The Law Society Referral Service
    • Provides the name of a lawyer who will provide up to 30 minutes of free consultation to help you learn your rights and options. This services does not give legal advice. If you are in a crisis, in a shelter, in custody, or under 18 you may call toll free.
    • 1-855-947-5255 or 416-947-5255
  • Legal Line
    • Legal Line provides free, pre-recorded legal information through telephone and internet systems. Legal Line does not provide legal advice.
    • 416-929-8400
 Shelters
  • 24-hour access to safe and secure emergency housing for single women and women with children
  • 24-hour telephone counselling for support, information, advice, and referrals
  • Provide individual and group counselling for women and children who are residing at the shelter
  • Outreach services (for women not living at shelter) include individual and group counselling, information, and referrals
  • Provide support, information, and assistance with transitional issues including safety planning, housing, family court and/or criminal court processes, obtaining income and/or employment
  • Bethesda House
    • Located: Bowmanville
    • Crisis line: 905-623-6050 or 1-800-338-3397
  • Denise House
    • Located: Oshawa
    • Crisis line: 905-728-7311 or 1-800-263-3725
    • TTY: 905-728-4394
  • Herizon House
    • Located: Ajax
    • Crisis line: 1-866-437-4966
  • Y’s WISH
    • Located: Oshawa
    • Crisis line: 905-576-2997 or 1-888-576-2997
    • Transitional support: 905-576-0182
Community Support Feedback
The Town of Ajax welcomes your thoughts and feedback regarding homelessness and community safety. The Town has channels for you to report issues relating to streetlights, vandalism, and garbage.

Submit Community Support Feedback