Responding in Times of Crisis. Supporting New Beginnings.
The Humanitarian Response Programs support newcomers arriving in Canada through humanitarian pathways, including Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and Asylum Claimants. We provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to help refugees and their families access essential services, secure safe and stable housing, understand life in Canada, and connect with community resources. Our goal is to create a welcoming foundation where newcomers feel safe, supported, and empowered to rebuild their lives in Durham Region.
Two Programs. Different Pathways.
Humanitarian Programs support people arriving through different refugee, asylum and humanitarian pathways. DHRP and RAP serve different populations under different mandates and are kept visibly distinct throughout this page.
Durham Humanitarian Response Project
The Durham Humanitarian Response Program (DHRP) provides temporary accommodation and wraparound, trauma-informed support to asylum claimants as they transition to life in Canada.
Through individualized housing and resettlement case management, clients receive support to access essential services, explore housing and employment opportunities, and build the skills, resources, and community connections needed for stability and independence. Based at the Durham Reception Centre (DRC), DHRP provides a safe, welcoming environment where asylum claimants can take meaningful steps toward securing permanent housing and establishing their lives in Canada.Resettlement Assistance Program
The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) provides immediate, 21-day support to Government-Assisted Refugees as they begin their new lives in Durham Region.
Newcomers receive temporary accommodation, welcoming and orientation services, needs assessments, support securing permanent housing, and connections to essential government and community services. Through practical, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed support, RAP helps newcomers navigate their first steps in Canada and establish a safe, stable foundation for their future in Durham Region.The Humanitarian Response Program Journey
Durham Humanitarian Response Project (DHRP)
Supporting People Seeking Safety and Stability
The Durham Humanitarian Response Project provides coordinated resettlement and stabilization support to asylum-seeking individuals and families arriving in Durham Region.
Working alongside community and government partners, CDCD helps clients address immediate needs, navigate essential services, identify housing and begin building the foundations for greater stability and integration in their new community.
Resettlement & Integration Support
Helping Clients Navigate Immediate Settlement Needs
Resettlement & Integration Support helps individuals and families understand and navigate essential systems, services and community resources as they establish themselves in Durham Region.
Support Includes
- Comprehensive intake and needs assessment
- Orientation and settlement information
- Documentation and navigation assistance
- Support related to children’s education and school enrolment
- Government and income-support navigation
- Language assessment and language-service connections
- Health-care connections
- Employment information and referrals
- Mental health and community-service referrals
Resettlement & Housing Support
Supporting the Move Toward Stable Housing
Resettlement & Housing Support works with clients to identify suitable housing options, navigate the housing search and support the transition from temporary accommodation toward longer-term housing stability.
Support Includes
- Housing search and navigation
- Locating suitable and affordable housing
- Landlord engagement
- Housing-related information and referrals
- Support transitioning from temporary accommodation
- Connections to longer-term housing and community supports
Information & Program Engagement Support
Helping Clients Understand and Connect With Available Supports
Information & Program Engagement Support helps clients understand available services, remain connected to their support pathway and access appropriate community resources and programs.
Support Includes
- Information and orientation
- Client engagement
- Service navigation
- Connections with appropriate community resources
- Connections with relevant CDCD programs
- Referrals to partner services
Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)
A Supported Start for Government-Assisted Refugees
CDCD’s Resettlement Assistance Program provides immediate, short-term resettlement support to Government-Assisted Refugees arriving in Canada and beginning their new lives in Durham Region.
Through temporary accommodation, needs assessment, orientation, housing support and personalized assistance, RAP helps individuals and families address essential needs during their first weeks in Canada and prepare for the transition to longer-term settlement and community life.
Arrival & Intake
A Welcoming First Point of Support
RAP begins with immediate reception and an assessment of each individual or family’s needs so that essential supports can be identified and coordinated.
Support Includes
- Reception and intake
- Needs assessment
- Identification of immediate needs
- Initial service planning
- Connections to essential supports
Temporary Accommodation
Safe Short-Term Support During Initial Resettlement
Temporary accommodation provides Government-Assisted Refugees with a supported place to stay during the initial resettlement period while immediate needs, orientation and longer-term housing plans are addressed.
Support Includes
- Short-term accommodation
- Orientation to temporary living arrangements
- Immediate settlement support
- Connections to essential services
Resettlement Orientation
Understanding Life, Services and Systems in Canada
Resettlement Orientation provides focused information to help newly arrived Government-Assisted Refugees understand essential services, community resources and everyday systems as they begin life in Canada.
Support Includes
- Life in Canada
- Essential services
- Community orientation
- Government systems and documentation
- Information and referrals
Housing Support
Preparing for the Transition to Longer-Term Housing
RAP housing support helps individuals and families navigate the transition from temporary accommodation toward suitable longer-term housing.
Support Includes
- Housing search and navigation
- Housing information
- Housing transition support
- Connections to longer-term housing supports
Skills & Independence
Building Confidence for Everyday Life
Personalized skills development supports clients in building practical knowledge and confidence for greater independence as they transition into community life.
Support Includes
- Practical settlement skills
- Personalized skills development
- Information for everyday living
- Connections to appropriate longer-term supports
Transition to Community
Connecting Initial Resettlement to Longer-Term Settlement
As clients move beyond the initial RAP period, CDCD helps connect them with longer-term settlement, community and specialized services that can support continued integration and wellbeing.
Connections May Include
Not Sure Which Humanitarian Pathway Applies?
If you are looking for support, tell us about the type of assistance you need and CDCD can help direct your request to the appropriate program or service, subject to program eligibility and current criteria.
Request SupportCDCD’s website is not an emergency service. Our website and general contact forms are not monitored as emergency response channels. If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact emergency services directly.