Northumberland’s only shelter closes after worker injured, facility damaged

COBOURG - Transition House, Northumberland County’s only homeless shelter for men, women and families, has been temporarily closed after a staff member was injured and the the shelter was damaged in an incident earlier this month.

Transition House closed at 4 p.m. Friday “until a safe environment for residents and staff is restored,” executive director Diane Keast announced.

There was no immediate word on when the shelter can reopen.

The worker was injured during an interaction with a client at the shelter on Dec. 5.

There was also considerable structural damage to the building, according to Keast.

“Transition House regrets very much the need for this closure, but intends to reopen as soon as possible,” Keast stated.

All current residents have been accommodated in alternative temporary lodgings, and community agencies are working with those who require support to move to more permanent housing solutions.

Gloria Yip, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Labour. Yip said the ministry was called in to investigate on Dec. 7 and an investigator visited the shelter at that time. The investigator issued three orders — two orders regarding training and a third requiring the employer to conduct an assessment of risks. The assessment of workplace risks was completed, she said.

The investigation, however, is ongoing, and it is not yet known if there will be any further actions taken by the ministry.

As the consolidated municipal service manager for social services in Northumberland, Northumberland County mobilized staff to immediately work with partners to accommodate current Transition House residents in alternative temporary lodgings. These residents will be connected with community agencies to support the move to more permanent housing solutions.

“It is important that everyone in our community has a safe place to stay; this is our first priority with the temporary closure of Transition House,” Northumberland County Warden Mark Lovshin.

“We have protocols in place for instances such as this, and county staff and community partners are taking action to ensure everyone in need of assistance has access to the resources they require. We are also working with officials at Transition House to confirm timelines for this closure, to ensure continued emergency shelter in Northumberland over the longterm.”