History and Purpose
North House originated from the dedicated efforts of the North Durham Homelessness Committee and the North Durham Social Development Council. There were many individual and groups who saw the needs of the “invisible homeless” in our area and without hesitation they rose to meet the challenges. From their effort, North House was created.
North House facilitates responsive approaches and supports to individuals and families who are facing housing challenges in the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge.
North House offers coordination of the WrapAround support process and subsidized housing through rent subsidies to families who live in North Durham. On a case-by-case basis, North House assists individuals and families who are in need of housing solutions and support services.
Our Vision Statement:
North House is committed to being a leader in rurally based housing strategies and support- creating and implementing housing solutions in North Durham focusing on proactive innovative approaches.
Our Mission Statement:
North House facilitates responsive approaches and supports to housing that are safe and affordable, meeting the changing needs of the people in the Townships of Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge.
Core Values
We believe in:
- The rights of our participants to confidentiality and privacy;
- Safe, supportive, non-judgmental and healthy environments;
- Breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing a supportive, integrated continuum of housing services and supports;
- An innovative approach that uses a circle of supportive services and a focus on the strengths of the participants which enables them to find and enact their own solutions to positive change.
What is WrapAround?
WrapAround is a support process that focuses primarily on building a team of support. This may include family, friends and professionals who work together to empower those with complex needs to find solutions. The end result is an improved quality of life. It is essentially concerned with building on capacity at both the individual and community levels. The WrapAround process operates on the traditional belief that a community can take care of its own.
All of us living within a neighbourhood, a town, a city or even a region must work together as one community to coordinate and integrate all formal and informal services and supports into effective resources that support individuals and families with complex needs.
What is a WrapAround Plan?
According to the process, each individual with complex needs requires “one plan” that is individual to that person and their family. This plan builds on their strengths and capacity for change, and “wraps” them in a blend of formal and informal services and supports.
The plan is focused on typical needs in life domain areas that all persons have. A WrapAround plan is continually reviewed and modified based on the client’s developing strengths and evolving needs.
Who is on the WrapAround Team?
The WrapAround team may include family, friends, professionals and other community volunteers and a WrapAround facilitator. These support teams are committed to helping the client lead a better life, breaking the cycle of homelessness and hopelessness.
Why are Housing Supports and the WrapAround Process Needed?
Homelessness in rural Ontario is an invisible problem leading many in our community to believe that North Durham is immune to homelessness. The homeless in North Durham do not live on the street, covered in sleeping bags and clothing. They are your friend’s adult child who has moved home with their children due to the high cost of rent, the cousin who has been sleeping on your couch while they search for an affordable apartment, or the teenager you frequently see in front of the corner store.
In the past year, the North Durham Homelessness Prevention Outreach Worker assisted 737 families facing housing crises in the three townships that make up North Durham. These numbers indicate that homelessness and the threat of homelessness are very real problems in the communities that make up North Durham. It is for this reason that North House is in existence, providing a helping hand, not a handout, to enable people to get back on their feet.
Our Management Structure
North House is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board meets once a month and Executive meetings are held at the call of the Chair of the Board. North House also has an Advisory Committee of some former North House Board Members and community leaders. North House employs two part time staff.
| Board of Directors | Advisory Committee | Staff |
| Heather Beveridge, Chair | Jeffrey Hayes | Ann Watson, Program Manager |
| Anne Kewley, Vice-Chair | Bette Hodgins | Lois McIntosh, Administrative Coordinator |
| Valerie Penney, Secretary | Gerri-Lynn O'Connor | |
| Linda Green, Treasurer | Anne Wells | |
| Susan Van Tijn | Rev. Ted McCollum | |
| Ron Castle | Jane Chapman | |
| Tina Harvey | ||
| Kim Coates | ||
| Dr. Martin Stewart | ||
| Jeanne Preston |