10/16/2026
With the upcoming municipal elections - The Refuge asked all Oshawa mayoral candidates for their plan/idea to address the issue of homelessness in Oshawa. A week was given for their responses. Some candidates responded...others did not. To help inform your vote here are the responses:
Sherland Chhanuger
As the Mayor I would close the “safe injection sites” that bring people from all over Durham region to our downtown with no where for them to live and now from drug addicts from Toronto. My plan is based on what London England has done by building facilities for those with addictions to be treated by medical staff
in a safe facility and not in the Oshawa hospital emergency ward.
They seriously need a medical, counselling, rehab support in a good environment to re-intergrade into society In addition, many seniors and others are facing great difficulty in paying rising property taxes and may be facing giving up their homes.
I will review the City of Oshawa budget line by line to see about savings. I undertake not to cut any funds earmarked for homeless and will increase that spending.
Michael C***s
I would like to remove barriers preventing youth from finding employment. I also want to create a system that allows businesses and city organizations to promote job openings more locally before searching elsewhere.
I also want to create as many preventive measures as possible to keep people from reaching homelessness. Such as vacant city land being used for food growth to help support local foodbanks and soup kitchens if possible. Or creating more accessible or potentially free drop-in programming for all ages.
I also want to look into a city-run reuse/recycle site where donations get funneled to one facility and then redistributed to local charities and organizations or those in need. Keeping usable items out of landfills but into the hands of people who could use them while preventing donations from ending up on a shelf with a high price tag.
I also want to begin a ground-up recovery campus approach. That begins with a vacant lot and basic facilities & allowing for a managed temporary tenting area in the warmer months. Over time the goal would be to transition from tents into year-round shelters as funding and partnerships become available. While using already existing bylaws to help bring healthcare providers, counseling, employment services, and learning opportunities through tradespeople and local institutions.
Derek Giberson
Did not receive a response by the time of posting.
Jeremy Large
My plan calls for 2 new facilities to be built in Oshawa. The first one being a new social safety net that will resemble a hotel. It will have private rooms and act as a way to stop people who have lost their homes from landing on the street to begin with. That facility will allow people to store their belongings offsite so when they get back on their feet, they will still have all their belongings.
It will be wrapped up in a massive $650M housing, affordability, and homelessness plan I will be presenting to Ottawa and Queens Park.
Jim Lee
Did not receive a response by the time of posting.
Tito-Dante Marimpietri
Strengthening prevention and early intervention, so young people and families can access help before a housing crisis becomes homelessness.
Advancing safe, youth-focused shelter and transitional housing, while working with partners to expand longer-term affordable housing.
Connecting young people with mental-health, addictions, education, employment and family supports, so housing is accompanied by the help needed to sustain it.
Working with Durham Region, The Refuge and other frontline organizations to use local data and the experience of young people to identify service gaps and measure progress.
Advocating to the provincial and federal governments for the funding and health supports required to expand housing and services.
Henry Onwuachu
Homelessness requires coordinated action. I would work with Durham Region, The Refuge, other service providers, and relevant provincial and federal partners to identify gaps in services, improve coordination, and direct resources where they can make the greatest difference.
We need more housing options for young people who cannot afford market rents or who need additional support to live independently. I would work to identify opportunities for affordable and supportive housing, encourage partnerships with non-profit housing providers, and support practical development initiatives that can deliver results.
Working with community partners, I would advocate for stronger connections to housing assistance, mental health and addiction supports, employment opportunities, and services that help youth maintain stable housing and transition successfully into adulthood.
Joseph Tomlins
Did not receive a response by the time of posting.
Dave Westlake
Did not receive a response by the time of posting.
