Homelessness

There are people in Clarington who are living without stable, permanent, appropriate housing. The Regional Municipality of Durham is responsible for all social services in all Durham municipalities, including Clarington. This includes safe, temporary shelter and supports for residents with no safe accommodation options.

Winter Warming

Clarington’s Winter Warming Centre is located at 181 Liberty Street South, Bowmanville.

If you need assistance getting to a warming program or shelter, Housing outreach agencies can provide transportation help, or you can contact Durham Region’s Street Outreach Team at HomelessHelp@durham.ca or by calling 905-666-6239 ext. 5510 or 1-888-721-0622 ext. 5510 or 311 ext. 5510.

Cooling Centres

Cooling Centres provide a safe place for people to cool down when it is hot outside. The Region of Durham provides a list of Cooling Centres in Clarington in addition to others across Durham.

Do you need support?

If you need support or shelter, please contact Durham Region at HomelessHelp@Durham.ca or call 905-666-6239 ext. 5510. The Outreach Team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Food banks and meal programs

Find information about food support programs, including community meals and food banks on 211 Durham or call or text 2-1-1.

Services in Clarington by Location

Bowmanville Library - 163 Church Street, Bowmanville

Available services:

Food pantry stocked by Feed the Need
Free use of computers and WIFI
Climate controlled space
Washrooms
Staff trained in Trauma Informed Intervention

Bowmanville Library Hours:

Mondays to Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Meet with an ODSP caseworker at the Bowmanville Library Mondays (except April 21 and May 19) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Get support

Ontario Disability Support Program offers:

Funding to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses, including food, and rent;
Health benefits, including prescription drugs and vision care;
Employment support to help you find and keep a job or advance your career.

Housing Support Services

The John Howard Society of Durham Region (JHSD) caseworkers will provide housing outreach at the Bowmanville Library on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

No appointment is necessary, and services include:

Assistance and support with housing search/access and registration to By-Name List;
Support with eviction prevention and mediation with landlords;
Assistance with forms including applications for housing stability funds and rental applications;
Information and referrals to JHS programs and services and other community resources.

This partnership will strengthen access to important supports for community members who are currently unsheltered, precariously housed, or experiencing homelessness.

Newcastle Library - 150 King Avenue East, Newcastle

Available Services:

Free use of computers and WIFI
Climate controlled space
Washrooms
Staff trained in Trauma Informed Intervention

Newcomer Settlement Services

Book an appointment with a CDCD settlement worker at the Newcastle Library Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Drop in available from 3 to 5 p.m.

Find confidential, culturally sensitive information and referral services at no cost for newcomers and immigrants in Durham Region. The Orientation Settlement Program provides information on housing, social assistance, childcare, language classes, education, legal services, financial supports and more.

Community Employment Services

Tuesdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register by calling Durham College Community Employment Services at 905-697-4472.

Get professional assistance with resumes and cover letters, find job search support and employment counselling, and gain valuable interview skills practice and advice.

Newcastle Library Hours:

Mondays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Courtice Library - 2950 Courtice Road, Courtice

Available Services:

Free use of computers and WIFI
Climate controlled space
Washrooms
Staff trained in Trauma Informed Intervention

Courtice Library Hours:

Mondays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Orono Library - 127 Church Street, Orono

Available Services:

Free use of computers and WIFI
Climate controlled space
Washrooms
Staff trained in Trauma Informed Intervention

Orono Library Hours:

Mondays from 3 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays from 3 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays closed

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank, St. Joseph's Catholic Church - 127 Liberty Street South, Bowmanville

Available services:

Backpacks with supplies, scarfs, socks, non-perishable groceries.
Small warm meals if needed.
Grocery pick-up available once a month. Includes five to seven days worth of food.

Hours:

Wednesdays from 10 to 11:45 a.m.
Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.

The Rock Warming Site Breakfast

Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast served at St Joe’s Church facility for those overnighting at the warming site on Liberty Street.

Salvation Army Food Pantry and Coffee Hub - 75 Liberty Street, South, Bowmanville

Available services:

Groceries can be obtained once a month.
Coffee and snacks available whenever pantry is open.
Space to sit in climate-controlled comfort.
Salvation Army community lunch last Friday of the month at noon.

Hours:

Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Wednesdays from 9 to 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Thursdays from 12:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Community Lunch

Free hot lunch and warm community space on the third Friday of the month at noon.

Community Dinner - St Paul's United Church, 178 Church Street, Bowmanville

Available services:

Community Dinner hosted by Gathering Place, a collaborative effort by several Bowmanville churches. Clothing Cupboard open during dinner.

Hours:

Second Friday of each month (September to June), doors open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner at 5 p.m.

St. Paul's United Church, 178 Church Street, Bowmanville

Available services:

BLUE (Building Lives Up Everywhere)

Breakfast foods, coffee/tea, simple programming, clothing room open.
Hours: Tuesdays. Doors open at 9 a.m. Breakfast from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Clothing Cupboard

Seasonal Clothes/Footwear for men, women and children, no cost.

Hours: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or call 905-623-7361 for other availability.

Bread of Life Social Justice Café

Free meals available, also open for paying customers to pay for themselves or pay it forward.
Hours: Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Food Pantry

Food pantry, including toiletries.
Washer and dryer available.
Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed during lunch.
Call 905-623-7361 for more information.

Clarington Warming Site

Includes 10 cots, support staff and security from the Region of Durham on-site to assist.
December 1 to March 30.
Hours: Nightly from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

John Howard Society, 132 Church Street, Bowmanville

Assistance and support with housing search
Support with eviction prevention and mediation with landlords
Assistance with forms including applications for housing stability funds and rental applications
Information and referrals to JHS programs and services and other community resource
Canadian birth certificates

Resource Rooms are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call 905-926-8073 for more information

St John's Anglican Church, 11 Temperance Street, Bowmanville

Delicious homemade soups and accompaniments from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

How you can help

If you see a vulnerable resident who needs support, learn more from the Region of Durham about how you can help.