Homeless worker urges facility at Northumberland Mall
Homeless in the winter. By Jake Leonard. Free Use Domain. Unsplash.
By Cecilia Nasmith
Chris Amos has called for a state of emergency to be declared on homelessness, with a massive expansion of facilities that might include making accommodations for them in Northumberland Mall.
Amos addressed Northumberland County council's Social Services Committee meeting Wednesday morning to state his case.
Amos said there had been a doubling of the homeless in “Cobourg-slash-Northumberland County” from 2024 to 2025.
“From my personal observation, I am seeing a lot more people homeless who have simply lost their jobs. The stress of financial problems has caused a lot of family split-ups. In 2026, we are reasonably expecting at least another 100% increase in the number of homeless people in Cobourg.”
As one who has been assisting the homeless in a hands-on way for two and a half years, Amos believes the magnitude of the problem in Northumberland County is unprecedented - “which means the measures taken so far are really quite ad hoc and without due recognition in law.”
In a letter he had submitted beforehand, Amos outlined which specific statutes he believes the county is violating, but his address was more informal. And he said that a lot of this liability can be dissolved by declaring a state of emergency that would allow more latitude in dealing with the issue. For example, sleeping might be allowed in the warming room despite of fire-code regulations that forbid it.
“The situation in Cobourg is getting really bad right now,” he said.
“On Monday evening, there were two overdoses. One of them took 10 attempts to revitalate.
“We have one young lady living rough in a tent, pregnant, with inadequate nutrition, and she's a narcotics addict.
“We have to manage this situation,” he said.
“I am looking at at least the necessity of 100 beds. If we don't do this, the people responsible for making the rules are subject to criminal liability. That is scary, but it is the law, and I think that the people in this room are responsible individuals who at least have the willingness to try.
“We have very limited resources, I fully appreciate that. If I can see due diligence to go to the next and next and next step, I want to be on your team. That is the only way we can do it – by working together.”
Looking at where one might place 100 beds, Amos continued, “I can appreciate the cost – but there's a whole wing of Northumberland Mall completely empty, with individual storefronts. Each store could accommodate about 20 people, rather than having 100 people all together.”
He also urged that nutritious food be made available at any such facility.
He predicted the alternative as a laundry list of problems - “people with chronic exhaustion, malnutrition, other health problems, diabetes and psychological disorders.
“I am willing to work with you,” he said, citing his price as a $100 per day per diem.
“I will work with you and I will work with these people. They know me. They love me. They have asked me to be there for them 24/7 if I can. I am willing to work with you, and I am willing to work with them. But we really have to step up to the plate and make this work.”
Councillor Olena Hankivsky asked Amos how he got started with this work and what his background is.
“I am a very empathetic person,” he began.
“My father fought for this country in World War II. He killed people with a knife for the sake of our Canadian rights and freedoms. He had bullets whizzing past his head.
“I have never had bullets whizzing past my head. I am an old guy, I am a senior. My family is raised, and I feel a commitment to support my community. This community is my home, and I have a responsibility to it. “That's the short version. Thank you.”
