Mayor Shaun Collier and the Town of Ajax, Ontario, are moving forward with a plan to build 50 new supportive housing units in the downtown area. This project will provide permanent, long-term homes at the corner of Harwood Avenue South and Achilles Road for seniors and adults living with disabilities.
The proposed three-storey building will use a “Housing First” model, which focuses on giving people a stable place to live along with on-site help like healthcare and counseling. Unlike a temporary shelter, these units are meant for independent living for residents who might struggle to keep a home without extra help.
Shaun Collier is using special provincial powers granted to mayors to speed up the timeline for the project. These powers will help the town change local land-use rules more quickly so that construction can begin as soon as possible.
The town is also looking to contribute $500,000 from a federal housing fund to make the project more affordable to build. This initiative comes as the Region of Durham faces a waitlist of approximately 13,000 people looking for social housing.
The local council is set to vote on the building rules on March 23, 2026. Following that vote, regional leaders are expected to give the final go-ahead for the project on March 25, 2026.
