Northumberland County says significant progress was made on housing and homelessness initiatives in 2025, but growing demand continues to outpace available resources.
The County’s newly released 2025 Housing and Homelessness Annual Report highlights achievements under its 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan while outlining ongoing challenges related to affordability and homelessness.
One of the report’s key findings is that 212 households moved from homelessness or temporary housing into permanent or long-term housing during 2025.
“We are seeing more individuals and families struggling to maintain stable housing,” Warden Bob Crate said in a statement accompanying the report.
The report highlights several housing projects completed or advanced during the year, including the Elgin Park redevelopment in Cobourg, which added 40 affordable and market rental units and increased capacity at the site by 28 units. Construction also continued on four transitional housing units at 129 Kent Street in Campbellford, while planning advanced for future developments at 473 Ontario Street in Cobourg and 123 King Street East in Colborne.
Despite those gains, demand for housing assistance remains high. The report shows 1,305 households were on Northumberland’s social housing waitlist in 2025, while only 60 households were housed from the list.
Homelessness services also remained busy. Transition House Shelter recorded an average occupancy rate of 84 per cent and served 164 unique individuals. Meanwhile, the county’s warming room program logged 2,497 visits from 176 unique clients over 137 operating days.
Additional investments included County council’s decision to double annual capital repair funding for Northumberland County Housing Corporation buildings to $1.2 million, supplemented by $1.6 million in federal funding.
County officials say priorities for 2026 include expanding affordable, supportive and transitional housing options while pursuing additional provincial and federal support.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
