Funding to be used to expedite housing and shelter solutions
Northumberland – March 120, 2024 – At a Special Meeting of Northumberland County Council on Thursday, March 14, Council directed staff to complete all required agreements with the Province to secure $2,469,500 in additional funding from the Homelessness Prevention Program for the 310 Division Street, Cobourg Shelter Modernization initiative.
This important funding will be used to expedite implementation of the full suite of services planned for 310 Division Street, generating immediate impact for people experiencing homelessness. 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. These enhanced services will be critical steps towards resolving homeless encampments in the Town of Cobourg.
“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,” states County Warden Brian Ostrander. “Homelessness demands a unified effort, recognizing that no single entity can confront this complex issue alone. 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.”
With the increasing impacts of homelessness facing Northumberland, as with communities across Canada, the County continues to seek out new opportunities for shelter, housing and services to support vulnerable community members. In December 2023, the County announced a partnership with Transition House Shelter to modernize shelter services with the purchase of a 47-bedroom complex at 310 Division Street, Cobourg. Anticipated to open in spring 2024, the vision is for a multi-purpose facility. Approximately 35 emergency shelter spaces, along with a drop-in warming/cooling centre, will address immediate need, with plans for increased on-site services and transitional housing accommodations creating additional pathways out of homelessness.
Extensive community engagement was undertaken between December 2023, and February 2024, to help shape integration of this shelter within the neighbourhood and the broader community. A report on feedback gathered will be brought forward at the regular meeting of County Council on Wednesday, March 20th. The agenda for this meeting is available at Northumberland.ca/Council.
For more information about the modernization of shelter services at 310 Division Street, Cobourg, please visit Northumberland.ca/ ShelterModernization.
