Northumberland County is looking for a new location to offer winter warming room services and is encouraging owners of facilities outside of the Town of Cobourg to reach out if they’re willing to rent their space.
Local property owners are being asked to contact the county by August 22 if they have a potential building to rent for use as a temporary overnight winter warming room from October 2025 through April 2026.
The service would operate during overnight hours, providing people experiencing homelessness with respite from the cold during the fall and winter months, including access to seating, washrooms, and light refreshments.
The county is extending the call after deciding on June 18 to close the warming room and cooling centre in the low-barrier homeless shelter at 310 Division Street in downtown Cobourg as of July 4.
The decision followed seven months of complaints from neighbouring residents and businesses after the low-barrier shelter, which is owned by Northumberland County and operated by Transition House, opened in December.
Kate Campbell, director of communications for Northumberland County, said county council asked staff to look for locations outside of Cobourg.
As part of the resolution pertaining to homeless shelter services passed by county council at the June 18 meeting, council directed staff to close the 24/7 warming and cooling hub, Campbell explained.
In addition, council asked staff to report back to council or a committee of council “with options for permanently relocating the 24/7 warming and cooling hub drop-in centre to another neighbourhood within Northumberland County that is outside of the Town of Cobourg, unless located on Northumberland County or hospital property,” Campbell said.
While both Northumberland Hills Hospital and homelessness support services are based in Cobourg, which is the most urban location in Northumberland County, council advised staff to look to another community to house the warming room — which would mean unhoused people in Cobourg would need to be transported to the out-of-town location.
“Transportation plans would be a key consideration with respect to any facilities identified,” Campbell acknowledged.
While county staff are continuing their search for available facilities in the community that may be suitable for the warming room, “we are also extending the ask to the broader community,” said Glenn Dees, director of health and human services, in a media release.
“This call-out to local property owners is about leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that vulnerable individuals in our community have a safe place to go during cold nights this winter.”
The county is seeking a space that meets the minimum requirements listed below.
- Facility access for an overnight period of approximately 12 hours, seven nights per week, October 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026
- Capacity to accommodate 30 individuals (clients and staff)
- Access to washroom facilities
- Is heated
- Has on-site parking
- Preferably includes access to an internet connection to support service delivery
- Located outside the Town of Cobourg
The county said all spaces proposed will be reviewed by staff for appropriateness and feasibility.
A final location will be subject to approval by county council.
Property owners who are interested and need further information can email the county’s community and social services department at warmingroomspace@northumberland.ca or call Bill Smith, homelessness services manager, at 905-372-3329 ext. 2314.
