By Cecilia Nasmith
Following Cobourg council voting down the Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective project for Furnace Street, the group has issued a press release expressing disappointment and declaring their intention to look at new options.
Council had begun working toward implementing a group of nine to 12 eight-by-10-foot cabins for homeless individuals to be set up at the westmost edge of the former Memorial Arena property. Residents in the vicinity, however, voiced strong objections which a public-information session did little to dispel. And when the project came before council for final approval April 3, it was voted down to raucous objections from proponents.
“The decision is a setback for our committee, and it is disheartening to the majority of Cobourg residents who endorse sleeping cabins in principle and even more disappointing to the vulnerable community we serve,” according to the news release issued by NSCC Chair Alastair McKeating.
Dedicated to the principle of housing first, McKeating said, “we firmly believed that our proposal would have been a step forward in addressing the homeless and housing crisis in Cobourg. We are disappointed that the council did not share our vision and recognize the importance of our project.”
The message said the group is looking at new possibilities and alternative options “with any government agency committed to addressing the shortage of deeply affordable rental units in Cobourg. We remain committed to working in a caring community and learning from one another to provide safe, supportive housing to those who need it most.”
McKeating offered thanks to those in the community who offered support and encouragement.
“We will continue to honour the faith you have in this project. Together we can make a difference and help those in need.”
