Following an intensive system review and ‘Request for Proposals’ (RFP) process, Northumberland County announced today that it will partner with Transition House shelter in Cobourg to deliver modernized emergency shelter services for the community.
“We are very pleased that, following a temporary closure, Transition House responded to the requirements outlined in the County’s Request for Proposal for the delivery of shelter services for Northumberland,” states Community & Social Services Director Lisa Horne. “This organization has a longstanding commitment to providing safe and compassionate emergency shelter for residents in need. We look forward to collaborating to ensure a best practice operation that is fully integrated into the community’s coordinated homelessness response system.”
The County issued an RFP in February with the aim of bringing the local shelter system into alignment with the ‘Housing First’ model, which now underpins all local inter-agency collaboration on homelessness. Under this model, the emergency shelter fulfills a vital role as a ‘point-of-entry’ hub within the broader homelessness system, where people experiencing chronic homelessness are connected with resources to enable a transition to safe, affordable and stable housing as quickly as possible.
“Transition House has a history within this community of providing dignified and supportive emergency shelter, life skills and transitional support to those who are experiencing a housing crisis,” indicates Transition House Board Chair Catherine White. “This is a critical service for the community, and we are proud to have been selected to work with Northumberland County to continue these important efforts as part of the evolving community-wide system of housing and homelessness supports for Northumberland residents.”
Preparations are now underway for Transition House to be fully operational by the fall of 2018.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
