Northumberland County council
After a day-long meeting Wednesday, there’s still no word on when an emergency meeting of Northumberland County council may be called to tackle the issue of where a warming hub could be located this winter.
As previously reported, the hub at the 310 Division St. shelter in Cobourg shuttered its doors earlier this year.
Staff penned an urgent report to council on potential options Wednesday – which also outlines significant background leading up to the current situation – but following some public input and discussion, the matter was ultimately deferred for an “urgent meeting” still to come after an in-camera session towards the end of the day.
The options outlined in the report include mobile construction trailers at county headquarters and /or council chambers; the boardroom or mobile trailers at 600 William St. in Cobourg (county paramedic site); the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre in Colborne, and Fenella Hall in Roseneath.
The nine-page report highlights in detail possible operational considerations, outcomes and impacts – like transportation as just one example in rural settings – anticipated costs, and more. The cost estimates range from a minimum of $218,000 to $376,000.
The report also details that winter warming programs have been offered for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity since 2020 in Northumberland. Until this year, hub operations have been in Cobourg.
According to county staff, the number of individuals accessing these services has been growing over the past five years. In staff’s report, it states that between Nov. 13, 2024, and July 4, 2025, there were 5,415 recorded visits at 310 Division St. (July 4 was when the hub was officially shut down.)
Back in 2021-22, there were reportedly about 195 visits to the warming operation set up at St. Peter’s Church in Cobourg. By 2022-23, numbers grew to about 1,446 visits recorded, according to county staff.
And in 2023-24, there were about 4,044 visits recorded at the warming centre at St. Peter’s.
“Individuals rely on this emergency respite when they cannot access other emergency shelters in Northumberland for various reasons such as service restrictions, barriers to access or capacity limitations,” reads part of the staff report.
As previously reported, following public concern voiced around operations at the 310 shelter, it was announced that the first-floor 24/7 warming/cooling hub would close effective July 4, and the site would shift to a higher-barrier model, focusing on lower-to-moderate acuity individuals in need.
County staff noted as of noon on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, 310 Division St. was at 94 per cent capacity, translating to only two spaces available.
