The Salvation Army is discontinuing a rental housing initiative that has been aiding more than 200 individuals in Durham Region. This decision follows the region’s funding cut, with two landlords claiming the charity owes them significant sums of money. The program, established in collaboration with the region in 2017, involved the Salvation Army guaranteeing rent payments to landlords on behalf of tenants. As the program nears its end this month, 88 adults and 114 children will no longer receive assistance. Durham Region ceased its funding support in May, according to Gina Haggett, the charity’s Ontario divisional director for public relations.
Despite the Salvation Army’s efforts to persuade the region to transfer the program to another operator, the region opted to terminate it. The charity has chosen to cover program expenses for several additional months to mitigate hardships and allow for alternative support systems to be put in place. With an estimated 964 individuals experiencing homelessness in Durham Region, the program’s conclusion comes at a critical time.
Lisa McIntosh, the director of income, employment, and homelessness supports for Durham Region, declined to disclose the reasons behind the funding termination. McIntosh mentioned that the region maintains various agreements with agencies providing housing support services and may end agreements if compliance with stipulated requirements is inconsistent.
Meanwhile, landlord Jennifer Johnson plans to take legal action against the Salvation Army, alleging that the charity failed to fulfill the terms of their rent guarantor agreement. Johnson claims the Salvation Army has not addressed significant damages to her properties, including broken appliances, damaged floors, and holes in walls. The charity asserts that it has adhered to the guarantee agreements entirely but refrains from commenting on individual landlord issues.
Johnson provided a copy of the rent guarantor agreement from August 2024 for her Pickering property, stating that the Salvation Army is responsible for returning the rental unit in its original condition. Despite some repair progress, Johnson has not received updates on pending work. Another landlord, Zara Toony, is contemplating legal action as her agreement with the Salvation Army has ended, but tenants remain in her properties and have pledged direct payment.
Both landlords express frustration over communication lapses and damages to their properties, with Toony estimating damages at $100,000. Initially eager to participate in the program to assist individuals in securing housing, their experiences have left them disappointed and seeking resolution.