Northumberland County has had “productive discussions” with community members about a new location for a warming centre to provide people with respite from the cold when the temperature drops in the months ahead.
The county is seeking a new space to offer winter warming room services after the decision was made in June to close the warming room and cooling centre located in the homeless shelter at 310 Division Street in downtown Cobourg.
Since then, the county has been encouraging owners of facilities located outside of the Town of Cobourg to reach out if they have spaces they’re willing to rent.
“Since receiving council direction in June, the county has been actively exploring opportunities for set-up of a temporary winter warming space,” Kate Campbell, Northumberland County’s director of communications, told kawarthaNOW.
“Staff have had productive discussions with a couple of locations,” she noted. “We are hopeful this will lead to the announcement of a service in the coming weeks.”
The county reached out to property owners seeking space 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, and access to seating, washrooms, and light refreshments.
The decision to close the Division Street warming and cooling centre followed seven months of concerns raised by neighbouring residents and businesses after the low-barrier shelter, which is owned by Northumberland County and operated by Transition House, opened in December 2024.
The county is in the process of transitioning 310 Division Street into a higher-barrier, clean-living facility.
County council asked staff to look for locations outside of Cobourg for the warming centre.
In addition, council requested staff report back “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 noted in an earlier interview.
The county has been 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
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.
