The Town of Ajax is moving forward with plans for a new supportive housing development in the downtown core, aimed at providing 50 permanent units for residents experiencing housing instability. Ajax Town Council unanimously approved the necessary zoning changes for the three-storey building on March 23, 2026.
The project will be located at the northeast corner of Harwood Avenue South and Achilles Road. To help move the development forward, the town has committed $500,000 from its Housing Accelerator Fund allocation. This funding will support the Region of Durham, which is leading the initiative and will oversee the site once it is complete.
The planned $28 million facility is intended to be more than just housing; it will offer wraparound services such as healthcare connections, life skills training, counselling, and case management. These services are designed to meet the specific, long-term needs of residents. The project is currently awaiting final capital funding from Build Canada Homes, the federal agency responsible for financing large-scale housing projects.
Local leaders prioritized the development to address a growing need in the community. The Durham Region Health Department has designated downtown Ajax as a priority neighbourhood, noting higher concentrations of homelessness, low-income households, and seniors living alone. Recent data shows that the number of homeless individuals in Ajax rose by 23 percent over a one-year period, reaching 176 people in April 2025. Furthermore, there are currently more than 13,000 applicants on the Durham Access to Social Housing waitlist.
Mayor Shaun Collier utilized his municipal powers to help accelerate the planning process for this project. Following the local approval, the regional partnership was officially ratified by the Regional Council on March 25, 2026. If final funding is secured, construction is planned for 2026 and 2027.
