By Cecilia Nasmith
Scheduled to open Dec. 5, the overnight warming room recently announced at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Cobourg will be open to members of the community in need Nov. 30.
With an investment of almost $250,000 in county-levy and provincial funding, the warming room (located at 240 College St.) will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week through the end of March, offering an additional safe space to take shelter from the cold and access washrooms and light refreshments.
Northumberland County Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Moore said in the announcement that they have been working with Transition House to expedite preparations in order to open the facility earlier than planned.
“While we do continue to see capacity within the shelter system, the warming room provides an alternative to the emergency shelter environment, ensuring an additional winter-relief measure is in place to meet the broad spectrum of need among vulnerable residents,” Moore stated.
She acknowledged the volunteers who stepped forward to offer temporary warming-room accommodations nearby at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (200 King St. W.) until the St. Peter's location could open.
“We commend all those who have contributed to this increased response in support of people in need in Northumberland,” Moore stated.
Beginning Dec. 9, members of the Homelessness Leadership Table – a collaboration of local agencies involved in the direct provision of programs and services for those experiencing homelessness – will also use the warming room as a daytime hub to provide on-site support services twice a week. These will range from wellness checks and vaccine clinics to crisis intervention, housing-search supports, addiction harm-reduction supports and social services.
Beyond the availability of the warming room, expanded emergency shelter-system capacity remains in place with overflow spaces available through the local motel system in the event that Transition House is full.
Individuals can access emergency shelter services through Transition House by visiting the shelter at 10 Chapel St., Cobourg, or calling 905-372-9562.
For more information on resources for people experiencing (or at risk of) homelessness in Northumberland, visit Northumberland.ca/HousingAndShelter
