Housing

Housing and homelessness

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Transition House officials respond to impact of Cobourg’s emergency shelter bylaw

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Transition House

The full interview:

Plans for 310 Division Street continue to move forward. Senior staff at Northumberland County and Cobourg are hammering away at a deal to operate an emergency shelter. Meanwhile, the town’s bylaws are now in place to regulate operations at local shelters, including Transition House and Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre. County Warden Brian Ostrander and Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland appeared on last week’s show to discuss the situation. Meanwhile, the provincial government provided $2.5 million to renovate the former senior’s residence, with the caveat that the work must begin within the next four months. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

Cobourg’s mayor explains recent debate over emergency shelter bylaw and its impacts

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

At a council meeting on February 28, Cobourg politicians approved a bylaw to regulate emergency shelters regarding operations, safety, and security. The most notable impacts will be on Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and Transition House. The bylaw is meant to address concerns from the public, town staff, and politicians over the new shelter planned for 310 Division Street, a former senior residence. The county purchased it and recently received $2.5 million from the Ontario government for renovations. During a special county council meeting on March 6, Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland passionately defended his municipality’s decision. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

County warden addresses concerns over Cobourg emergency shelter bylaw

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Northumberland County Council

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this month, tensions between Cobourg and Northumberland County were on display. Cobourg passed new bylaws impacting emergency shelters within the town. This would include Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and Transition House. The bylaw is aimed at quelling concerns raised by many about the relocation of Transition House to 310 Division Street. Since the county is responsible for Transition House, county staff and politicians called a special council meeting on March 6. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

Transition House moves to new facility as county approves $2.3 million purchase

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New Transition House

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

If everything goes smoothly, Northumberland County will purchase a former retirement residence at 310 Division Street in Cobourg to become the new home for Transition House. It means 35 low-barrier shelter spaces will be available to those in need. It will have accommodations, food, and support services. It will also provide a 24-hour drop-in centre year-round, giving unsheltered people a place to get out of the cold of winter or the heat of summer or a place to go anytime. In this interview,  Rev. Neil Ellis, former acting interim executive director for Transition House, will share the story behind the purchase and what it means to those who do not have a home. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

National Housing Day draws attention to county’s efforts to address affordable housing and homelessness

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Two things related to affordable housing took place in the last week. First, phase one of the new Elgin Park housing units was opened. It is a step forward in a project to increase access to affordable rental housing. The second event was National Housing Day. People from across Northumberland gathered to strategize how accommodation issues are addressed locally. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Homelessness, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

One person shares their story from inside the Cobourg encampment as events unfold

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, a group of people encamped at 600 William Street were removed from the site. County officials used the Trespass to Property Act to give 24-hours notice before a private security firm and the Cobourg Police would take action to clear the property. The site is owned by the county and houses offices for economic development, tourism and is a hub for ambulance services. County politicians approved the removal plan at a special meeting on September 5. Before any of this took place, two people intimately involved with the encampment provided their side of events. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Politics, Social Justice

A frontline worker adds perspective related to Cobourg encampment

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Last week, there were interviews with county officials. You have heard from a person who was living in the encampment. But what is it like from the perspective of an individual trying to support those living rough? Missy Mclean is a social worker for the Northumberland Legal Centre specializing in tenant issues. She is also a community organizer working on harm reduction for people struggling with addiction. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Homelessness, Housing, Politics, Social Justice

Local taxpayers footing majority the bill for affordable housing programs, says manager

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Rebecca Carman,

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

County council accepted a report telling them local taxpayers are contributing up to 75 percent of the costs associated with housing programs. Ontario is the only province that has downloaded those costs. Some of the numbers are alarming. Rebecca Carman, housing services manager for Northumberland County, will explain what is going on and why. She will also outline the steps she and her fellow manager across Ontario to lobby the government to change things. Originally aired: July 28, 2023. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics

County plans to create affordable housing specifically for workers if they promise to stay

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workforce housing

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

While affordable housing remains a priority for all levels of government, recently, two important steps were taken locally. County council is creating a municipal body to build workforce housing. In this interview, you will hear the details explaining plans to build workforce housing and why affordable housing efforts are not cutting it. Originally aired: July 28, 2023

  Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics

Chambers of Commerce call on all three levels of government to address housing crisis

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce recently released a report calling on all three levels of government to tackle the Affordable Housing Crisis. Some people might wonder why a business organization is producing housing reports. Port Hope Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Brenda Whitehead will dive into that mystery in this interview. It has a lot to do with workers being unable to live in the communities where they work. This was not an issue in the past because people were expected to commute to jobs. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Housing, Northumberland County, Politics, Port Hope, Port Hope Chamber of Commerce