310 Division Street: Modernizing shelter services to address community need

With homelessness a rising concern in municipalities across Canada, Northumberland County continues to seek out new opportunities for shelter, housing and services to support vulnerable community members.

To help address the urgent local need for housing and shelter services in Northumberland, the County is pleased to announce a partnership with Transition House Shelter on the purchase of a 47-bedroom complex at 310 Division Street, Cobourg. Operators of the former Cobourg Retirement Residence announced earlier in 2023 that the facility would be closing its doors.

The County purchased the vacant property for the purpose of emergency shelter, and will be entering into an agreement with Transition House for the relocation of shelter services to this one central location, to better meet the diverse needs of our community. Northumberland County will engage in a 'take-back mortgage' with Transition House for repayment of the property.

Anticipated to open in spring 2024, the vision is for a multi-purpose facility. Approximately 35 emergency shelter spaces - available to all gender identities and couples - will address immediate need. Over the longer-term, transitional housing accommodations and other services will create pathways out of homelessness.

Services coming to 310 Division Street

• Approximately 35 low barrier shelter spaces available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Access to a bed, food services and support services
• Shared kitchen amenities
• Daytime services
• Future opportunities to introduce transitional housing accommodations to help create pathways out of homelessness.

Update on Community Engagement

Thank you to all community members who provided input on how best to integrate shelter services at the new location of 310 Division Street. All formal community engagement activities for the service planning phase of this undertaking concluded the week of February 12, 2024. County staff along with facilitators are now consolidating feedback. This includes feedback gathered through small group discussions, public information sessions, correspondence and questions submitted to staff and County Council, and delegations to County committees and Council. A final report will be shared with County Council at the regular meeting of Council on March 20^th, 2024, including an overview of how feedback is being incorporated into plans.

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Quick facts

• Northumberland County is responsible for the planning and co-ordination of Homelessness System services across local municipalities, which includes collaborating with community partners on the provision of shelter, resources and supports. 310 Division Street will be one component of the supports available in Northumberland for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC) manages 373 units of affordable and community housing across local municipalities
• The County is currently working towards an additional 251 new units and rent subsidies to be brought forward over the next 3 years. Increasing the stock of affordable and community housing is critical to meeting the needs of vulnerable and low-income people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• The County currently has projects underway to support vulnerable residents:
  • Elgin Park Affordable Housing Redevelopment: A partnership with NCHC to increase the number of units at this location from 18 to 40.
  • Ontario Street Affordable Housing Development: A partnership with NCHC, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) and Habitat for Humanity Northumberland to open 62 new affordable housing units of various tenure and affordability types.
  • 310 Division Street: Renovation of the vacant apartment complex to support relocation of Transition House Shelter and support services.

Join In the conversation

Community engagement activities for the service planning phase of this undertaking concluded the week of February 12, 2024. The County and Transition House Shelter hosted community information and engagement sessions for residents to share questions, concerns and ideas to help positively shape the integration of this new hub within the broader community.

Concluded presentations and consultations

• Presentation to County Council - Wednesday, December 6th at 3 p.m.
• Door knocking in the immediate neighbourhood - January 15th
• In-person small group discussions
  • January 16th from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
  • January 16th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Virtual small group discussions
  • January 25th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • January 26th from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Virtual public meeting - February 6th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • View the presentation slides from this meeting
• In-person Open House at the Cobourg Legion - February 12th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  • A drop in to connect with County and Transition House staff, as well as community partners who provide supports to people experiencing homelessness in Northumberland

Community Engagement Report

County staff along with facilitators consolidated feedback gathered through the community engagement phase. This included feedback gathered through small group discussions, public information sessions, correspondence and questions submitted to staff and County Council, and delegations to County committees and Council.

A final report was shared with County Council at the regular meeting of Council on March 20^th, 2024, including an overview of how feedback will be being incorporated into plans.