DRSS, through their Primary Care Outreach Program, provides primary care and social work services to the unsheltered (social work services and paramedic services). They told us that as of March 2026, there were 1,774 known homeless people across Durham Region, including 326 in Ajax and 102 in Pickering.
In the first four months of 2026, they engaged 6,000 times with homeless individuals across Durham, including 1,223 times in Ajax and 373 times in Pickering. They engaged with encampments (including vehicles) 21 in Ajax and 19 times in Pickering. They completed 53 business engagement surveys in Ajax and 11 in Pickering since October 2025.
DRPS continues to see increasing calls for service that are business or property related in the first four months of 2026. Across Durham, they include:
- 123 for break and enter
- 69 for break and enter in progress
- 17 for commercial robbery
- 53 for shoplifting
- 147 for theft
- 79 for theft in progress
The top 10 calls for service in Ajax include:
- 179 for cell abandoned
- 170 for unwanted person
- 50 for ambulance assist
- 37 for checks on well being
- 36 for overdoses
- 28 for subject stops
- 22 for disturbances
- 14 for assaults
- 12 for fights
- 11 for armed person
- The top 10 calls for service in Pickering include:
- 87 for on foot
- 40 for cell abandoned
- 38 for directed patrols
- 30 for commercial alarms
- 15 for checks on well being
- 15 for special events
- 13 for neighbourhood portfolio exercises
- 8 for unwanted person
- 7 for shoplifting
- 6 for ambulance assists
The Town of Ajax and the City of Pickering work with the Region of Durham on initiatives like At Home In Durham and the Affordable and Seniors Housing Task Force. They also support the grassroots community organizations offering short-term and long-term support for people experiencing homelessness.
Some examples of homelessness initiatives undertaken by the Town of Ajax include:
- Launched the Ajax Homelessness Committee
- Approved use of space it owns as a temporary emergency shelter.
- Made lockers available for storage, mail delivery, and phone charging.
- Provided access to showers at community recreation centres.
- Based on feedback from local businesses, the Town worked with the Region of Durham to set up of two sharps disposal bins in the Ajax Plaza.
- Contracted security patrols daily in the downtown core, including the Ajax Plaza, Pat Bayly Square, and downtown parks and green spaces.
Some examples of homelessness initiatives the City of Pickering has undertaken include:
- Launched the Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee.
- Providing a shower program in partnership DARS (Dedicated Advocacy Resource Support.
- Supported the DARS Transitional Farmhouse.
Some ways our business community contribute to efforts to support efforts around homelessness:
- Join us in advocating to all levels of government for more affordable housing and better support for people struggling with mental wellness or addiction issues. · Contact Habitat For Humanity GTA to explore how you can contribute to their home builds like the latest one in Whitby.
- Support food banks, shelters, and other community organizations making a difference for people experiencing homelessness.
- Look for opportunities to train and hire people experiencing homelessness.
- Have Narcan (naloxone) kits available in your workplace and work vehicles. They’re available at no cost from pharmacies and the John Howard Society in Durham.
- Refer any homeless related matters to the Homeless Help Line at 311, extension 5510, on a 24/7 basis. They will triage the requests to the appropriate Regional Response Team for responses.
- Report crimes in progress, immediate safety risks, and urgent well-being concerns by calling 911.
