The federal government has announced that an additional $855,434 funding in National Homelessness Initiatives—Supporting Community Partnerships Initiatives (SCPI)—will be available to Oshawa/Durham for the period of 2003 to 2006. In order to access this funding, the federal government requires an update of the 2001 Community Plan for Homelessness in Durham.

Over the past three years, the goals and objectives of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) have evolved from enhancing emergency support services to a focus on the next steps in the continuum of supports provided in communities experiencing high rates of homelessness. The federal goal for the coming three years is to move more individuals and families into stable living environments, with access to transitional and supportive services and housing supports. This shift away from a focus on emergency homelessness responses is intended to improve living conditions for many homeless individuals and families. Ultimately, achieving a reduction in the overall emergency hostel population.

The NHI has also directed communities to consider the needs of at-risk Aboriginal people and youth in a manner that reflects the demographic profile of the homeless community. Meeting this requirement will necessitate further research in Durham.

Through a series of focus groups, key stakeholder interviews, community meetings and consultation with representatives from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSD), Durham residents and service providers have had an opportunity to identify community objectives, priorities and strategies, which will help to ensure appropriate services are available to members of the community who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless.