Pickering's Homelessness Crisis Needs More Than Good Intentions

Encampments are growing in our parks, including Esplanade Park. Across Durham Region, roughly 1,345 people were counted as experiencing homelessness in the most recent count — more than double the 2021 number.

What the data actually shows:

• About half of respondents report substance use as an ongoing health challenge
• Over half report mental health conditions
• Income loss, not addiction, is the leading reported cause of housing loss

Housing and outreach

• Fast track supportive and transitional housing across Durham Region
• Fully fund the 24-hour street outreach team so every person gets connected to a real housing plan
• Push Durham Region to use available federal encampment funding
• Turn seasonal warming centres into year-round low-barrier spaces
• Partner with local landlords and developers on affordable housing

Addiction and mental health

• Expand detox beds and addiction treatment capacity in Durham, since demand for voluntary treatment already exceeds supply
• Invest in harm reduction and mental health outreach alongside treatment, since the two work together, not in place of each other
• Study involuntary treatment carefully for repeat offenders whose addiction is driving a cycle of crime, following Ontario's current review of this approach, while weighing the real concerns health experts raise about effectiveness and Charter rights

Keeping public buildings from becoming crash sites

• Adjusted access hours and secured entry points at libraries, transit stations, and community centres
• Design changes like better lighting and clearer sightlines that reduce hidden crash spots without targeting anyone
• By-law enforcement paired with outreach on the same call, not enforcement alone
• Front-line staff trained to de-escalate and connect people to Durham's outreach line first
• Nearby washroom and warming access, so there is a legitimate place to go instead of a stairwell or transit shelter

Helping local businesses respond legally

• Trespass to Property Act notices for specific individuals and specific behaviour, not for being homeless
• Documented incident logs that support a trespass order or peace bond when needed
• A shared BIA ambassador or outreach worker who checks in with people before it becomes a police matter
• Legal, non-hostile design choices like adjusted lighting and seating
• 311 or Street Outreach as the first call, with police reserved for actual criminal behaviour
• Cost-shared security patrols among businesses during high-traffic hours

This takes all of us:

• The city
• The region
• The province
• The community

Need help or want to report a concern?

• Durham Region Street Outreach: homelesshelp@durham.ca or call 311
• City-related concerns: Pickering Customer Care at 905-683-7575

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