Northumberland County Council may use mobile trailer as warming room this winter as mayors seek permanent solution

Homelessness By Jon Tyson-Free Use Domain-Unsplash.

By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Patience appears to be running thin by mayors of Northumberland County to provide temporary respite for unhoused people in the winter months, as many leaders are looking for a long-term solution.

County Council’s Social Services Committee today, recommended that Council, later this month authorize spending up to $350,000 for a mobile trailer for the homeless.

A report presented to mayors indicates the temporary warming room at the Northumberland County Administration Building operated for 137 days for 2025/26 with nearly 2500 visits by 176 people.

“This demonstrates consistent demand and repeated use by many individuals throughout the winter season. County staff are proposing that the 2026/2027 Warming Room is hosted on County property located at 555 Courthouse Road utilizing the lower parking lot of the legacy Golden Plough Lodge,” the report read.

Associate Director of Housing and Homelessness Rebecca Snelgrove said while the initial start up costs appear high, the trailer could be sold next year, once a long-term plan has been developed.

She explained it's expected to take five months to get the trailer plan implemented.

However, County Warden and Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate, while not liking the initial trailer cost, wondered about Building 18 in Cobourg as a viable permanent solution.

This idea was first suggested by Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland in February as he noticed that many homeless were hanging out in Victoria Hall, creating potential safety hazards for staff and the public.

Building 18, near the Cobourg Community Centre currently has two tenants, yet the second floor is unoccupied.

Crete suggested that Building 18 currently has some fire suppression devices installed allowing for users to sleep at night.

Snelgrove countered that Building 18 would need upgrades to accessibility and that a timeline on getting this work complete may not be achievable before winter.

County CAO Dan Borowec said consultation with the existing Building 18 tenants would need to be completed.

Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky joined Crate and Cleveland in favor of Building 18.

A report on upgrade needs to that building could be completed for the June County Council meeting.

Diane Minol who in February, was against the use of Building 18, today said she was opposed to the County spending money for the mobile trailer, but is now favouring a long-term solution.

Cleveland said Building 18 was a former medical building, owned by Cobourg, suggesting renovations would not be a barrier to this as a solution. Council will debate the matter more in the coming weeks.