Officials aim to open a modernized homeless shelter in Cobourg, Ont., by fall 2024.
Work on the project at 310 Division St., involving Northumberland County and Transition House Coalition, has resumed with support from the City of Cobourg.
The project will relocate the current Transition House shelter on Chapel Street, which has four bunk rooms, to the facility that was previously the 47-bedroom Cobourg Retirement Residence. The new 35-space facility will provide improved accessibility, temporary housing and other services.
For Transition House director Ike Nwibe, who took on the role in December 2023, it has been a whirlwind six months.
“It was a baptism of fire,” Nwibe said.
The project was halted in the spring of 2024 when Northumberland County Council reviewed public feedback on the building’s ownership.
The province says a legal review and negotiations with Transition House have resulted in an updated memorandum of understanding, which states that the province will retain ownership of the property, while Transition House will continue to act as a service provider.
“From the beginning of this endeavor, the goal has been to integrate community input into decision-making processes about this transition to support the positive integration of shelter services within the neighborhood and the broader community,” said District Director Brian Ostrander. “We heard that this step was important to the community, and both Transition House and the province sought to honor this feedback.”
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Following the province’s purchase of the building, the city of Cobourg implemented an ordinance that established stricter guidelines for operating emergency shelters, requiring them to be licensed and provide 24-hour security, regular maintenance and insurance, and a Need a 24/7 contact person to respond. in case of problems at the branch within an hour.
The province says an agreement is being drawn up with the city on operational standards for the new facility.
The City of Cobourg declined an interview with Global News, saying it was “too early” in the process.
Ostrander says the provisions that both the provincial and municipal councils must consider for a final agreement include:
- security on site 24/7
- establishment of a Community Liaison Committee
- Transition House’s current practices include, including a code of conduct, failure to host a safe injection site, provision of a dedicated phone line to respond to questions from agency partners and public inquiries
- constant communication that a low barrier shelter is not a no barrier shelter
“As has been demonstrated throughout our history, Northumberland County and the City of Cobourg continue to work together to find workable solutions to the opportunities and challenges facing our community,” Ostrander said.
Nwibe said the process is an “opportunity” to learn and see the need to involve stakeholders.
Rebccaa Carman, the province’s deputy director of housing and homelessness, said a framework of operating agreements with Transition House will ensure it will be the shelter’s service provider.
Ostrander Aid’s architectural plans are nearing competition and permitting is being finalized for submission. He said reconstruction of the interior will begin once permits are issued.
“We are on track for a September opening,” he said.
The project continues as a tent camp grows on provincial land at the former Brookside Youth Center on King Street.
Nwibe said although Transition House does not provide services to the encampment, it is still trying to help.
“That’s where a low barrier comes in, so those who live in the rough, people who live in the camp and want to access help, that’s what we can connect to,” Nwibe said.
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