Northumberland County is inviting community members interested in the future of homeless shelter services on Division Street in Cobourg to apply for a position on a new liaison committee.
Interested residents are being encouraged to put their names forward now for a seat on the Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The CLC will be tasked with helping support the roll out of modernized shelter services at 310 Division St.
This fall, homeless shelter services will transition from 10 Chapel St. to 310 Division St. “with expanded services to help improve pathways out of homelessness for people in need,” the county noted in a media release.
“This committee will play a vital role in helping to integrate shelter services effectively within the neighbourhood and the broader community, delivering the best possible support to vulnerable community members, and ensuring strong neighbour relations,” said Rebecca Carman, Northumberland County’s associate director of housing and homelessness, in a statement.
“We encourage interested community members to apply to join the CLC to contribute their voice and support the shelter’s success, improving pathways out of homelessness for people in need. We greatly value the opinions and ideas of shelter neighbours and local community members, and look forward to working together to create opportunities and resolve challenges.”
The new shelter will provide a 24/7 hub, offering about 35 emergency shelter spaces alongside drop-in warming and cooling spaces, health, wellness and skill-building programming, along with a resource centre. The shelter services are being designed with the intent of reducing barriers for couples, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, people with pets, and people who have disabilities.
The county’s overall goals are to provide a roof for more people who are living unsheltered in the community and to modernize homeless shelter services through the new endeavour.
Back in December 2023, Northumberland announced it was buying the 47-bedroom complex at 310 Division St., which was the former location of Cobourg Retirement Residence. During a special meeting of county council, the community learned about the partnership with Transition House for the new facility.
The county heard from nearby business owners and residents who were concerned about the impact on the neighbourhood of having the shelter and its services moved to Division Street. Staff, county councillors, service providers, residents, and business owners spoke in support of, and against, the new facility.
“County council recognizes the need to rapidly expand new shelter, supportive, transitional, and affordable housing opportunities for vulnerable and low-income residents,” said Northumberland County councillor Mandy Martin, who was warden at the time.
“With homelessness a rising concern across Canada, we are seeing the increasing impacts in Northumberland, with more people living rough in their cars, in parks and forested areas, individually or in encampments. The county is looking at all possibilities, all real estate ventures, to increase options across the entire housing spectrum.”
Since then, the county and Transition House have conducted extensive community consultation to collect feedback from neighbours, community members, local businesses, community partners and people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity to inform plans for 310 Division St., the release noted.
“A key theme identified as part of this process, and presented as a recommendation to county council, was community interest in the creation of a CLC to facilitate communication between community members and shelter management.”
To move ahead, the county engaged OrgCode, considered leaders in homelessness system transformations, to advise on best and common practices to establish shelter CLCs, the release noted.
“OrgCode has assisted in devising a committee framework designed to align with community expectations and foster effective collaboration between shelter staff and residents.”
The 310 Division CLC is intended to be a committee of diverse perspectives, including 12 to 15 members representing shelter neighbours, community members, people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, local businesses, faith organizations, Cobourg Police Services, town, county and shelter staff, and community partners who work closely with the shelter and its clients.
Northumberland noted CLCs are generally put in place for a shelter’s first year of operations, focusing on addressing initial concerns, setting up effective communication channels, and integrating the shelter into the neighbourhood.
“As shelter operations stabilize and become routine, the need for a dedicated liaison committee often decreases. Ongoing communication is typically then maintained through established channels, regular community meetings, or other mechanisms that support continued engagement without the need for a formal committee.”
The 310 Division CLC will meet once a month for at least a one-year term, perhaps longer. During the meetings, committee members will share information, discuss ideas and collectively problem-solve concerns, the county noted.
“The committee will be an advisory body, providing guidance and feedback to help the county and Transition House make informed decisions for the shelter’s successful integration within the neighbourhood and community.”
Those interested in applying to join the 310 Division CLC can submit an expression of interest by Wednesday, September 18 to begin the application process. All applicants will be required to attend an in-person training session in Cobourg on September 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to learn about homelessness in Northumberland, shelter services, and the structure and purpose of a CLC.
CLC members must be available to volunteer at least two-and-a-half hours per month to attend committee meetings and review materials.
To submit an expression of interest, visit Northumberland.ca/ShelterModernization.
