If you’re eager to learn more or have your say about Northumberland County and Transition House’s plan to transform the former Cobourg Retirement Residence into a modernized emergency sheltering hub residents can “join in the conversation” on Feb. 6 and 12.
A virtual public meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. where residents can have their say, said Northumberland County. During this session, there will be a 20-minute presentation from the county and Transition House, followed by a question-and-answer period.
“Anticipated to open in spring 2024, the vision is for a multi-purpose facility,” reported the county.
According to the county, the engagement sessions are opportunities for residents to ask questions, share concerns and/or ideas to help positively shape the vision and integration of the hub at 310 Division St.
Residents interested in taking part in the sessions can find all the details via joinin.northumberland.ca, where the county has a dedicated webpage with more information, frequently asked questions, and more. Residents can also subscribe to project updates and submit questions/comments online.
On Monday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., county and shelter staff will host another session, but this will be an in-person, open-house/drop-in style event at the Cobourg legion (135B Orr St.)
Back in December 2023, the county publicly announced it was pursuing a partnership with Transition House and a $2.4-million acquisition (funded through reserves) for the 47-bedroom complex. The retirement residence shut its doors earlier in 2023.
According to the county, the working proposal continues to centre around 35, 24-7 emergency shelter spaces to be available to all gender identities and couples, with hopes of addressing “urgent local need.”
Partners have noted longer-term they will also look at transitional housing and other services, all geared at creating pathways out of homelessness.
As stated online, under services coming to 310 Division St., the county details about 35 low-barrier shelter spaces to be available 24-7; access to beds, food and support services, shared kitchen amenities, and future opportunities to introduce additional daytime services and other housing accommodations.
“The purchase of 310 Division St. will enable Transition House to consolidate operations to a single site ensuring consistent wraparound services for all clients,” explained the county, in an earlier release.
This would mean the current shelter (10 Chapel St.) would relocate and close. It’s currently the sole emergency shelter for adults experiencing homelessness across Northumberland.
Consolidation could also include programs such as motel overflow, warming hub operations, et cetera.
As previously detailed by the county, with escalating demand for services, shelter staff have been increasingly struggling with limitations of the current 150-year-historic home/facility; it has only four rooms equipped with bunk beds. With temporary capacity increases, it can accommodate 22 people max. (Overflow hotel capacity increases overall shelter capacity some.)
The county purchased the property on behalf of Transition House to support relocation of shelter services and wraparound support services into “one central location,” with hopes this will better serve the community, explained the county.
A mortgage agreement with Transition House is being worked on (i.e. Transition House will eventually pay back the county and serve as operators.)
Since the initial Dec. 6 presentation at county council (where the proposal was first publicly discussed), there has been door knocking in the immediate neighbourhood in January, smaller in-person group discussions hosted, as well as smaller virtual group discussions, it states online.
As reported by the county, the proposal had previously been dealt with in a closed session prior to the Dec. 6 meeting in accordance with Municipal Act provisions; the purchase was completed with council approvals and through a confidential report to not interfere with commercial negotiations.
According to county staff, the proposal builds on recommendations stemming from a third-party review of the shelter system in 2023.
We have reached out to Northumberland County about next steps in this process.
According to the county, growing demand is clear with just a glance at certain numbers as of December 2023. For example, at any given time, there are about 75-80 people on its by-name list, which is a list of people currently experiencing homelessness who consent to receive support and are engaged with the system. (Of note: This list doesn’t capture all individuals experiencing homelessness.)
Northumberland also has one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in Ontario at just under 1 per cent (and hasn’t had a healthy vacancy rate in years.) Area residents also continue to grapple with soaring rental, housing and living costs.
Northumberland County reported providing some 1,100 shelter and housing benefits to homeless and/or at-risk residents in 2023 alone.
Meanwhile, the waitlist for subsidized housing continues to soar beyond 1,000 households. More than 390 names were added in the last year alone, reported staff.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)