Consider This (https://consider-this.ca/tag/housing/)
Housing and homelessness
There is a house that was built in the 1940s or 50s sitting in the parking lot of Northumberland County Movers on Highway 28, just north of Port Hope. It used to be at 311 University Avenue, across from the NAPA outlet or the old Home Hardware. It has an interesting story. Meaghan Macdonald, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, can tell it. The house is older and it needs some TLC. Continue Reading →
A group residents and business owners calling themselves the Good Neighbour Coalition Cobourg launched a campaign to address concerns related to Transition House, the only emergency shelter for homeless people in Northumberland County. Since then, the group has made a public presentation to council. And, it has been active in advocating for a resolution to the issues they raise, including increased and recurring problems with public drug use, people sleeping outdoors, verbal abuse and intimidation, disruptions day and night including physical altercations, theft, and break-ins. With me in studio Alyson King, a representative of the group Good Neighbours Coalition Cobourg. Welcome, Alyson. Continue Reading →
Affordable housing has sat at the forefront of many municipal politicians for more than the past year. Since the campaign and election of councils just over a year ago, it is a priority for many. In some cases, there are concrete steps being taken. Meanwhile, in the background, Northumberland County council and staff have toiled away on this issue for nearly a decade, slowly developing the framework and putting into place the pieces of an affordable housing strategy. From the Housing First initiative to a regular homeless people’s survey to an overarching Affordable Housing Strategy, the groundwork was being laid. Continue Reading →
A new committee led by Cobourg Councillor Nicole Beatty is looking at the creation of tiny homes proposed for Port Hope. A tiny home is a dwelling less than 600-square-feet. The group is working in tandem with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland to get a proposal off the ground. While it is in its early stages, Habitat Executive Director Meaghan MacDonald is optimistic the committee will be successful, offering an affordable housing alternative. Listen as she explains the details and provides more insight. Continue Reading →
A program aimed at pairing women to share accommodations was relaunched earlier this week. Cornerstone Executive Director Nancy Johnston and Homeshare worker Deb Racine talk about the innovative, creative way this program helps women in the community find affordable housing in the face of a major shortage within Northumberland County. Johnston also explains how the women’s shelter is collaborating with a developer to provide affordable rental units in Cobourg. Continue Reading →
There is a possibility new affordable housing may be coming to Northumberland County, said one of Northumberland most vocal advocates on poverty and homeless issues. Green Wood Coalition Community Director David Sheffield said he is aware of discussions going on that could lead to new affordable housing projects in an interview with Consider This Northumberland on Jan. 4. “There are a number of things that are not public information at this point – developers, folks working in the affordable housing realm that are essentially projects that would turn into some housing,” he said. Things are very tentative, he added, saying many factors will have to align, including federal government funding, before a formal, public announcement would be made. Continue Reading →
Northumberland County Community and Social Services Director Lisa Horne and Housing Services Manager Rebecca Carman outline the current status on the Affordable Housing Strategy, including the recent consultations and homeless survey. They also discuss the current situation with the displaced Port Hope residents who were left homeless after an apartment fire, as well as the requests for proposals for a new emergency shelter for the county. All this and more on Consider This Live, part of the Drive Time on Northumberland 89.7 FM. Continue Reading →
Following an interview on Consider This Live, Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson is putting pieces in place to create its own plan to help homeless. Port Hope’s mayor wants council to integrate a response to help the homeless in its upcoming strategic planning session within the next few months, he said Thursday in an interview. Mayor Bob Sanderson met with Green Wood Coalition Community Director David Sheffield recently to discuss ways in which the municipality can address the issue of homelessness. He hopes to form a committee to make recommendations to council regarding temporary emergency shelters within Port Hope, as well as other issues related to homelessness. To ensure something is done, Sanderson said this initiative must be integrated into the municipality’s strategic plan, a document developed with the help of councillors, municipal staff, and the public. Continue Reading →
During a conversation with a guy named David last week, I asked him what part of town was home for him. His answer was stunning, but not surprising. “I live in a tent,” he told me as if it was nothing. I asked where. This time, the answer was fuzzier. Continue Reading →
