Cobourg’s homeless shelter agreement must address policing costs, mayor says
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland has made it clear that any agreement allowing Northumberland County to operate a homeless shelter in the town must address the issue of extra expenses incurred by the town.
In anticipation of a new 35-bed shelter expected to open just outside Cobourg’s downtown this spring, Cleveland says he appreciates that the county’s social service department fully intends to be ready for the responsibilities that comes with client services within a shelter, but whatever happens outside the shelter is the responsibility of the community.
“When a shelter like this is put into a community, there are increased expenses for that community,” he told county council during discussions last week around the proposed shelter at 310 Division St. in Cobourg.
“Why are we using Cobourg tax dollars to fund our police to provide social service delivery in Cobourg when that should be the responsibility of the county?” he asked.
Late last year, the town learned the former Cobourg Retirement Residence — a 47-bedroom complex at 310 Division St. — could be transformed this spring to serve as a new homeless shelter for the Northumberland region.
The county issued a release on Dec. 4 stating it was partnering with Transition House — the designated shelter operator — on “a new facility to modernize shelter services and address community need,” purchasing the building for $2.3 million.
The property was acquired in collaboration with Transition House to maintain a 35-bedroom complex and to update its current location on Chapel Street in Cobourg.
In the weeks since, Cobourg council, as well as dozens of Cobourg residents, have expressed concerns about how the shelter might impact the community in terms of costs, cleanup, and safety for its Division Street neighbours.
Cleveland acknowledged the dozens of letters sent to the county from Cobourg residents, but said they represent just “the tip of the iceberg” when it comes to the correspondence received at the town level.
To date, the municipality has received more than 135 separate emails regarding residents’ concerns around the proposal.
When Cobourg council meets later this week, it intends to endorse and approve the enactment of a new Emergency Shelter Licence bylaw that would "establish operating requirements and an approved operational plan with a clear connection to the business activities and a direct impact on the public interest as directed by council.”
In a report prepared for council, staff write that it is hard to predict what costs that the specific areas of the town community management will be required directly related to the relocation of the shelter and the anticipated new operating model at 310 Division St.
The town should be seen supporting the community’s need and understanding the county roles, the report states, but also ensure the town’s concerns are addressed prior to and during the operations.