Northumberland County is reaching out to the business community for representatives to serve on a committee related to the emergency homeless shelter and its operations at 310 Division St. in downtown Cobourg.
The county is accepting applications until Thursday, July 31 from those interested in joining the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) which, according to a media release, is intended to support “the successful delivery of modernized homeless shelter services.”
This particular recruitment effort is focused specifically on strengthening representation from the local business community, ensuring direct representation in addition to the current participation by a business owner on behalf of the Cobourg Downtown Business Improvement Area.
The original business representative stepped down in May, and the county is looking to fill the vacancy, explained Kate Campbell, director of communications for Northumberland County.
“This is an opportunity for a business owner to provide direct input that will help shape how shelter services continue to integrate into the fabric of our community,” Campbell told kawarthaNOW.
“This is a chance to share perspective, raise concerns, and contribute to balanced solutions that support both the health of the business sector and the well-being of vulnerable residents.”
This second round of recruitment for the CLC, which follows an initial call for members in fall 2024, seeks to strengthen the committee by welcoming additional members to bring their perspectives and experiences.
The 310 Division St. shelter, owned by the county and operated by Transition House, offers 35 emergency shelter spaces and 10 transitional housing units to help improve pathways out of homelessness for people in need. The facility opened in late 2024 and targets increasing access to shelter services for couples, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, individuals with pets, and people with disabilities.
Up until recently, a drop-in warming room and cooling centre was operating at the shelter. Northumberland County decided to shutter that service in response to numerous concerns expressed by local business owners and residents.
Some of these concerns were described during a public town hall meeting hosted by the Town of Cobourg on June 17. The following day during its regular council meeting, Northumberland County council passed a motion directing changes to the operation of the emergency shelter.
Those changes included the closure of the ground-floor warming/cooling hub by July 4, the development of options for relocating the warming/cooling hub to another location in the county, and the preparation of a report for the July 30 social services committee meeting outlining the process and timelines to transition the shelter to a higher-barrier model focused on people with low-to-moderate complexity of needs.
As for the committee, it is comprised of approximately 20 volunteers who represent shelter neighbours, community members, people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, local businesses, and faith organizations. The CLC also includes representation from Cobourg Police Service, town, county and shelter staff, and community partners who work closely with the shelter and its clients.
The committee is 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,” according to the release. The CLC meets once a month for members to share information, discuss ideas, and collectively problem-solve concerns.
While the county said all community members can apply to join the CLC, Northumberland is currently seeking representatives specifically from the local business community, with preference given to business representatives from within a 500-metre radius of 310 Division St.
People interested in applying to join the CLC must be available to volunteer at least two-and-a-half hours per month to attend committee meetings and review materials. The county invites people to complete an expression of interest form by July 31 to begin their application process. All applicants will be required to attend an information session and interview, which will be scheduled at mutually convenient time.
To apply, fill out the expression of interest form at northumberland.ca/sheltermodernization.
