Ronan Henneberry credits affordable housing with changing his life. Since May, he’s been living with his cat at The Refuge, a youth outreach center located in Oshawa.
“I have, for once in my life, choices,” he said.
“I have options. I can do things where I don’t have to worry about being homeless.”
Henneberry resides in one of 26 units within a former school building. The apartments vary from 150 to 200 square feet and come with a kitchenette, private bathroom, and internet access.
The Refuge started its affordable housing project in May as a response to what the mayor of Oshawa described as a homelessness crisis. As of July, nearly 500 people were reported homeless in Oshawa, with around 1,000 across Durham Region.
According to Clarence Keesman, the executive director at The Refuge, young people are being priced out of the housing market and facing declining mental and physical health.
“Something had to be done,” he said.
Residents at The Refuge pay $425 per month, which aligns with their housing benefit through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Clarence Keesman, executive director of The Refuge, says 2024 was the centre’s busiest year in two decades. (Jason Trout/CBC)
The program runs for four years and can be renewed as long as needed by residents. Keesman has noticed that youth enrolled in shorter programs without renewal options often panic when they approach their program’s end.
“They still can’t afford anything, and then they exit into homelessness once again,” he said.
In addition to affordable housing, The Refuge also offers meals, laundry facilities, showers, recreational activities, counseling services, and housing support.
Keesman noted that last year marked their busiest period in two decades.
“It’s all linked to affordability of housing. Because if people can’t find a place to live, what do you do? Where do you go?” he said.
Linking Housing Developments with Homelessness
The units provided by The Refuge are just a small part of what is needed for housing solutions in Oshawa.
Approximately 70 percent of Ontario’s largest municipalities didn’t meet their provincial housing goals for 2024 – including Oshawa which only achieved half its target. This year doesn’t look promising either: so far this year Oshawa has reached only 25 percent of its goal for 2025.
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For Oshawa to achieve its aim of constructing 23,000 new homes between 2022 and 2031 it would need more houses built than it has managed over the past three decades according to an emailed statement from the city sent to . p >
However , Tyler Frederick , an associate professor at Ontario Tech University’s faculty of social science and humanities , points out there isn’t always a direct link between meeting these targets and reducing homelessness. p >
While there’s clearly a demand for more houses overall , he emphasizes that it’s crucial they focus on “the right kind of housing” – specifically affordable rental units – if we want genuine improvements for those experiencing homelessness. p >
“Part of it is having clear housing plans or clear ideas about the types most needed while ensuring there’s a variety available ,” he added. p >
600 Affordable Housing Units Planned for Durham h2 >
The City of Oshawa informed that significant actions have been taken towards removing obstacles supporting increased housing supply including expediting approvals meant for affordable rentals. p >
This comes alongside initiatives aimed at creating up to 600 affordable units throughout Durham Region. Plans include redevelopments on Christine Crescent and Normandy Street located centrally within Oshawa scheduled to commence next year depending upon federal funding aid stated by region officials via email. p >![]()
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Henneberry shares his apartment at The Refuge with his cat. He says there should be more spaces like the centre that provide safe shelter along with lease security. ( Jason Trout / CBC ) P >
Work continues too regarding assessing whether another former school building-Ritson Public School-might partly convert into mixed-income rental residences according information released from regional authorities. P >
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter notes that collaboration persists between city leaders & regional officials aiming toward achieving accessible accommodations but insists efforts must integrate support services catering specifically toward mental health needs or addiction recovery processes.
“How do we take people from being unsheltered into independence? That takes strategic investments combined with necessary initiatives,” he explained.
During his previous tenure leading Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation , Carter helped introduce programs such as Rogers Connected For Success which provides low-cost high-speed internet service plans tailored towards affordability ; these types initiatives are essential moving forward.
The Refuge occupies space originally designed as an educational facility ; currently examining opportunities surrounding another ex-school -Ritson Public School-potentially transitioning partly into diverse income level rentals according statements issued recently by durham region. (Jason Trout/CBC)
“It makes people uncomfortable because they think we should just provide them shelter without any further assistance,” Carter expressed.
Meanwhile Henneberry believes there oughta be additional sites similar like ‘The Refug e’ scattered throughout Durha m Area offering both secure lodgings plus solid lease agreements.
He recalls hearing numerous accounts about friends struggling nightly finding adequate sleeping arrangements; one buddy walked all way from oshawato ajax seeking shelter space.
“That sounds torturous enough making someone trek through three towns not knowing anything about their personal history nor possible disabilities.”
“And if you show up.. there’s no guarantee you’ll even get bed tonight.”
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