At Home in Durham
At Home in Durham aims to improve affordability and access to housing, protect the existing affordable housing supply, encourage housing diversity, and build capacity in the housing system. It commits to the initiation of the development of 1,000 new affordable rental housing units by 2024 – including new supportive and transitional housing opportunities for vulnerable low-income residents.
Goal 1: End Homelessness in Durham
Goal 2: Affordable Rent for Everyone
Goal 3: Greater Housing Choice
Goal 4: Strong and Vibrant Neighbourhoods
At Home in Durham is supported by the Master Housing Strategy and the recommendations of the Affordable and Seniors’ Housing Task Force. In 2019, the Region completed the five-year review of At Home in Durham, renewing its commitment to increasing affordable housing and ending homelessness in our region.
At Home in Durham
At Home in Durham - Five Year Review
Master Housing Strategy
Affordable and Seniors' Housing Task ForceWatch our video series, At Home in Durham - Faces of Affordable Housing
At Home in Durham – Annual Progress Reports
The Region reports annually on the progress of At Home in Durham, which includes updates on initiatives under the Master Housing Strategy and recommendations of the Affordable and Seniors’ Housing Task Force.
The Master Housing Strategy emphasizes a holistic and systems-level approach to the planning of community, supportive and transitional housing, as well as homelessness supports and prevention. It commits to:
- Revitalization of the Regionally owned Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation (DRLHC) portfolio, including the development of an evidence-based strategy for managing the DRLHC portfolio that addresses maintenance, revitalization, regeneration (redevelopment) and disposal across the portfolio.
- Review of public surplus lands and their potential social and community benefits.
- New partnerships and incentives for the provision of affordable, community, supportive and transitional housing, including the development of a Regional Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
- Support for the preservation and modernization of community housing, including opportunities for more flexible partnerships and support for capital needs.
- Review and modernization of the homelessness and emergency shelter system to reduce chronic homelessness to zero.
- Other opportunities to support the delivery of affordable housing.
The Master Housing Strategy was developed in 2020 to operationalize and support the goals of At Home in Durham.
Championing Affordable Rental and Seniors’ Housing Across Durham Region
Championing Affordable Rental and Seniors' Housing Across Durham Region sets out the recommendations of the Affordable and Seniors' Housing Task Force. The Task Force concluded its work in 2017.
The report identifies several strategies and actions to address the need for more affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income households, and the need for more housing choices for seniors. It provides a six-point plan of action and 34 recommendations that focus on a full spectrum of solutions, including policy, regulatory, educational, communications, outreach, partnership development, advocacy and reporting efforts.
The Task Force recommendations support the operationalization of At Home and Durham and the realization of its goals.
Surplus Land Inventory for Potential Development of Affordable Housing
Developers and investors can visit the Surplus Land Inventory for Potential Development of Affordable Housing to view available properties for affordable housing development in Durham Region.
Read a full extended version of At Home in Durham
Contact Housing Services for a copy of any of these reports that provided the foundation for the creation of At Home in Durham:
- Background Report No. 1 - Housing Policy Context, Trends and Indicators
- Background Report No. 2 - Supply of Housing and Development Activity
- Background Report No. 3 - Housing Affordability
- Background Report No. 4 - Specialized Housing Needs
- Background Report No. 5 - Community Consultations