Homelessness

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

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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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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

County officials say they are working to resolve complex issue of encampment at 600 William Street

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Encampment

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A group of unsheltered people recently moved from Cobourg’s West Beach to a county-owned building at 600 William Street. While this may resolve some tensions between those living in tents and the public, it has created a challenge for Northumberland County officials. In this interview, you will hear how the county’s administration and social services staff respond to this new encampment at the ambulance centre and economic development offices at the old Kraft building. County CAO Jennifer Moore and Social Services Director Lisa Horne will explain in detail what is being done and what is unfolding at the site. Originally aired: September 1, 2023 Continue Reading →

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

Inside look at the county and mental health association’s collaboration to provide supportive housing in Campbellford

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Supportive Housing Campbellford

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Northumberland County and the Canadian Mental Health Association announced a ground-breaking partnership to provide supportive housing in Campbellford. This is a huge step forward in helping people facing mental health and addiction challenges. These are people who often find themselves on the street and homeless. As you will learn in this interview, supportive housing provides an environment that helps people who would otherwise struggle when seeking a stable home. The tenants will live in a five-bedroom house with a worker present to assist them in their journey to recovery. Continue Reading →

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

Sleeping cabins put on hold as Cobourg council to offer land to county for affordable housing

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Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective

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The Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective was before the Cobourg council earlier this week. Politicians were deciding what to do next. Staff recommended two alternatives: reject it or go forward with the proposal to put 12 units next to the Memorial Arena on Furnace Street. After politicians presented their positions, Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty offered a third choice. Declare the land surplus and offer it to Northumberland County as a site for an affordable housing project. Continue Reading →

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

Local minister steps in while county homeless shelter faces emergency – again

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Transition House graphic

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Two executive directors have left Transition House within a year. Three key board members have also left. This includes the chair and vice-chair stepping away within the past few months. The fiscal year-end is quickly approaching. And it is still winter and very cold out as the unsheltered try to survive. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Homelessness, Northumberland County, Social Justice

Old transit bus becomes new warming centre for Port Hope

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Buddy Bus

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Jordan Stevenson is a local Port Hope businessman. He is also an advocate for the homeless and affordable housing. An old city transit bus from Windsor arrived at his office on Hamilton Road. He is transforming the bus into a mobile warming centre. He named the project the Buddy Bus after his constant companion, a rescued dog. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Homelessness, Port Hope, Social Justice

Sleeping cabin proposal before Cobourg council unpacked

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Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective

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In December, the Cobourg council received a delegation from the Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective. It presented a proposal to build 12 units and support services on Furnace Street next to the old Memorial Arena. The proposal will cost about a quarter of a million dollars. This includes the cabins’ construction and operating costs for a six-month pilot project. The money will come from fundraising and contributions from the people living in the cabins. Continue Reading →

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

County opens warming room early as CAO explains $250,000 annual budget

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St. Peter's Anglican Church Cobourg

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Here is Northumberland County CAO Jennifer Moore talking about the early opening of its warming room. It is a joint project of the county, Transition House, and St. Peter’s Anglican Church. It was scheduled to open on Dec. 5. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Homelessness, Northumberland County, Social Justice

Details about a community-led temporary warming room at St. Andrew’s Church

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Donations for the community-led warming room.

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Recently, a significant snowstorm drew into sharp focus the need for a warming room for people living in the rough. Some of those homeless people sought shelter in the bus terminal in downtown Cobourg. Through the actions of some advocates, the bus terminal was kept open during the storm. However, the people using the bus terminal were evicted when the storm was over. With nowhere else to go and the official warming room run by Northumberland County not ready, a group of volunteers quickly pulled together to create a temporary warming room at St. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Homelessness, Social Justice