Northumberland County, Cobourg ‘ensuring people have somewhere safe and warm’ this winter
By reporter Natalie Hamilton
Northumberland County will once again strive to give people without shelter a refuge from cold nights by operating a winter warming room in Cobourg.
The county has announced the location of the 2026-2027 space will move from its previous location at county headquarters on Courthouse Road in Cobourg to a county facility located at 600 William St. The warming room will open as of Nov. 2 and operate from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily through the winter. The goal is to provide a safe, warm overnight space during the coldest months for people experiencing homelessness.
The county recently approached the Town of Cobourg to request the town’s issuance of an emergency care establishment (ECE) licence to permit the operation of an overnight warming centre for the winter 2026-27 season.
During a recent Cobourg council meeting, councillors passed a motion to enact a bylaw to amend the ECE to allow for a third licensed ECE in Cobourg specifically to permit the operation of the seasonal warming shelter at 600 William St. The amending bylaw will come into effect on Nov. 1 and expire on April 15, 2027, as per council’s endorsement.
However, approval is contingent on the county submitting the necessary components required by the town to issue that licence. Updates on the status of that process can be found on the Town of Cobourg’s website under licences and permits at https://www.cobourg.ca/our-government/applications-licences-and-permits/business-licences-and-permits/emergency-care-establishment-application/.
Dan Borowec, Northumberland County’s CAO, made a brief presentation during the council meeting about the new space.
“The request from the county at this point in time is for the location to move from 555 Courthouse Rd. to 600 William St.,” said Borowec. “At 600 William St., there’s a boardroom of a slightly larger size than we were using (in the previous location).”
In addition, the new location “gives us a larger degree of what we feel is control and security,” said Borowec. “We are following the same format we used for the previous winter, which is 24/7 security. We emphasize it is a warming room, not a sleeping room.”
He said the layout of the building on William Street versus the facility at Courthouse Road is also more conducive for the use of a warming space.
The boardroom in the William Street facility will be converted to an overnight reception space for the season. It will operate until about April 15, 2027, with the closing date remaining flexible based on weather conditions and the arrival of consistently warmer temperatures, noted the county, in a recent release.
“Ensuring people have somewhere safe and warm to be overnight when temperatures fall is an important part of our response to homelessness during the winter months,” stated Bill Detlor, the county’s director of community and social services. “The warming room adds an important layer of capacity to our existing shelter system during this period.
“It means that when shelter beds are full, there is another welcoming, safe indoor option available to help protect people from the elements.”
The county said as colder weather approaches, the warming room will “add capacity” to the local homelessness response system during a period when the risks associated with being unsheltered become increasingly serious. With the county’s emergency shelter at 310 Division St. in Cobourg regularly experiencing high demand for its beds – and the previous shift away from a low-barrier operation – this overnight reception centre at 600 William St. aims to ensure additional people have somewhere to warm up, and access washrooms and light refreshments, noted county staff.
“Cold winter weather can create serious risks for people who are without shelter and our community has consistently demonstrated compassion for neighbours experiencing homelessness,” said Warden Bob Crate.
“Winter warming room services complement the year-round supports available at 310 Division St., providing additional capacity when it is needed most. The county is grateful for the continued collaboration with the Town of Cobourg and our community partners as we work together to support the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents.”
For more information about supports and resources in Northumberland for people experiencing homelessness or individuals who are at-risk of homelessness, visit Northumberland.ca/HousingAndShelter. For questions about shelter operations, people can contact Transition House at 905-376-9562.
For non-emergency security inquiries, along with inquiries related to Northumberland County’s ECE licence under the Town of Cobourg bylaw, residents can contact 1-877-770-2564.
In the case of an emergency, officials remind residents to call 911 for police, fire, and paramedic services.
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