Ronan Henneberry credits affordable housing for transforming his life, allowing him to reside with his cat at The Refuge, a youth outreach center in Oshawa, since May.
“For once, I have choices,” he expressed. “I have options to do things without fearing homelessness.”
Henneberry occupies one of the 26 units housed in a repurposed school building, offering apartments ranging from 150 to 200 square feet, complete with a kitchenette, private bathroom, and internet connectivity.
In response to Oshawa’s identified homelessness crisis, The Refuge initiated an affordable housing initiative in May. According to the city’s mayor, nearly 500 individuals are homeless in Oshawa, as per data from July, with an estimated total of 1,000 homeless individuals in Durham Region.
Clarence Keesman, the executive director at The Refuge, emphasized that young people are being priced out of the housing market, leading to declining mental and physical well-being.
“Action had to be taken,” Keesman insisted.
Residents at The Refuge pay $425 monthly, equivalent to their housing allowance under Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
The housing program extends for four years and can be renewed as needed. Keesman observed that youths enrolled in shorter, non-renewable programs often experience distress when facing program expiration.
“They still cannot afford accommodation, leading them back to homelessness,” he noted.
Besides the affordable housing scheme, The Refuge offers meals, laundry facilities, showers, recreational activities, counseling, and housing assistance.
Keesman mentioned that the center encountered its most active year in two decades last year, attributing the surge to housing affordability challenges.
“The housing affordability issue is at the core. Without housing options, where can people go?” Keesman questioned.
Interlinking Housing Initiatives and Homelessness
The available units at The Refuge represent a fraction of the extensive housing demand in Oshawa.
Reportedly, approximately 70% of Ontario’s 50 major municipalities failed to meet their housing targets in 2024, including Oshawa, which achieved only half of its set objective. The city has currently attained 25% of its 2025 housing target.
