A provincial boost to the tune of $2.47 million will help Northumberland County expedite implementation of a full suite of services planned for the new proposed shelter hub at 310 Division St. in Cobourg – and all with the hope of generating an immediate impact for people experiencing homelessness, says the county.
It’s also anticipated these monies will help with an accelerated implementation of transitional housing solutions at this location, explained county staff, in response to inquiries around how these monies will help amid the current housing and homelessness crises. (This may be explained more at a special meeting now set for Thursday.)
Earlier this week, on Monday, March 11, via a press release, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini announced the province was investing an additional $2.47 million in Northumberland, saying monies are to help the local social service system manager “close” an encampment in Cobourg.
“The Ontario government is investing an additional $2.47 million to Northumberland County – the local social service system manager – to support closing the homeless encampment in the Town of Cobourg,” reads the release. “This important funding will assist Northumberland County in providing housing options for the unhoused and the most vulnerable.”
“Our government recognizes the housing crisis Ontario is in and is doing the work to support municipalities with the crucial resources they need to provide our most vulnerable with wraparound supports,” said Piccini. “This additional funding to Northumberland County will provide the necessary services they need to assist the unhoused and give them a leg up.”
In the release, it states the additional monies will be used to support priority projects, which will help people experiencing homelessness and those at-risk of homelessness.
Piccini noted additional funds complement a provincial $2.2-million investment through the homelessness prevention program, with these monies previously announced back in May 2023.
The additional monies have been described as critical for the county.
“This important funding provided by the province will be used to expedite implementation of the full suite of services planned for 310 Division St. Cobourg, generating (an) immediate impact for people experiencing homelessness,” said a county staff spokesperson.
“Based on the funding direction from the province, it will support Northumberland County and Transition House Shelter with modernization of shelter services to reduce barriers for people seeking support and will enable the accelerated implementation of transitional housing solutions at this location,” explained the spokesperson.
“These enhanced services will be critical steps towards resolving homeless encampments in the Town of Cobourg.”
As previously reported, the county and Transition House’s plans to transform the former 47-bedroom Cobourg Retirement Residence into a modernized emergency sheltering hub were first publicly discussed back in December 2023 – the proposal was met with both praise and criticism, as some voiced a plethora of concerns around the move.
The building was purchased by the county – for about $2.4 million through reserves after the former residence shuttered its doors in 2023 – and on behalf of Transition House to support relocation of shelter services and wraparound supports into “one central location.”
“In times of pressing need, collaboration between all levels of government is imperative. I commend the province for its commitment to partnership to tackle the impacts of homelessness in our community with this vital funding,” said Warden Brian Ostrander, who also serves as Brighton’s mayor.
“Homelessness demands a unified effort recognizing that no single entity can confront this complex issue alone,” said Ostrander, following Piccini’s announcement. “As a county, we stand firm in our resolve to work hand-in-hand with all partners striving towards sustainable solutions.
“There is urgency to this mission and progress will be made through collective action. Together, we can build a future where every individual has a place to call home, and the support they need to thrive.”
In Piccini’s release, it states the province recognizes people across Canada and in Ontario have fallen on hard times – this investment should help Northumberland pursue “innovative solutions.”
Transition House – which is Northumberland’s sole emergency homeless shelter – will serve as operators of 310 Division and will eventually pay back the county through a takeback mortgage agreement, explained county staff earlier.
When first publicly discussed, the vision shared was for a multi-purpose facility opening in spring 2024. The working proposal centred around 35, 24/7 low-barrier emergency shelter spaces, complemented by additional wraparound supports and services.
Longer-term, partners also vowed to look at transitional housing and other services, all aimed at creating pathways out of homelessness.
“The purchase of 310 Division St. will enable Transition House to consolidate operations into a single site, ensuring consistent wraparound services for all clients,” said the county, in an earlier release.
In other words, this would translate to the relocation and closure of the current shelter at 10 Chapel St. This shelter is a 150-year-historic home with four rooms equipped with bunk beds – it can accommodate 22 people max with temporary capacity increases. It’s anticipated to be sold post move.
It was also proposed motel overflow (currently increases overall shelter capacity some) and warming hub operations be consolidated into the new location.
Public consultation efforts were ongoing into the new year around how best to integrate shelter services at 310 Division – according to county staff, they and facilitators are now consolidating feedback. A final report is slated to go to council at its March 20 meeting, inclusive of an overview of how feedback is being incorporated into plans.
On Wednesday, a special county council meeting was called for Thursday, March 14 at 9:30 a.m. In a brief advisory, it states council will receive a report on homelessness prevention program funding to support conversion of 310 Division St. to a modernized emergency shelter. It is an open meeting.
Meeting details are to be posted via Northumberland.ca/Council.
Meanwhile, just last week there was another special county council meeting after Cobourg council earlier advanced with a new emergency care establishment licensing bylaw.
As previously reported, in short, reports suggest the town moved ahead with the bylaw – which relates to governing the licensing of emergency shelters – with hopes it could help address security and safety-related concerns, a code of conduct, littering worries, and more. Such concerns, alongside possible financial impacts on the town, have been repeatedly echoed in recent months.
The bylaw isn’t currently in effect.
Several concerns were raised at last week’s meeting as staff zeroed in on potential bylaw impacts relating to shelters and the homelessness system.
The former Brookside property has been home to several residents living rough since September 2023. While reports vary and numbers fluctuate, it is estimated about 30 people have been living at the site.
As previously reported, the property went up for sale in February 2024.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt, with files from Joseph Goden.)
