Northumberland County advises that the shift from St. Peter’s Anglican Church to Transition House is only temporary regarding the warming centre in Cobourg.
Communications Director for Northumberland County, Kate Campbell issued a release on Saturday, January 15, 2022 stating due to a “intermittent staff resource constraints” the warming centre located at St. Peter’s Anglican Church would be temporarily closed, starting Friday, January 14, and shifted to Transition House located a short distance away at 10 Chapel Street.
Campbell said it is a “temporary shift in location with no impact to service capacity.”
Due to clients being advised directly, “a public notification was not initially pursued.”
Staffing challenges are being experienced across most sectors in society with the ongoing pandemic and due to trained staff being required to operate the warming centre, the decision was made to shift services for the present time.
“Capacity remains unchanged with this shift in location – individuals seeking supports will continue to be accommodated.”
Transition House has been at a capacity of 10 clients throughout the pandemic, but when staffing challenges arose, communication with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit took place to look for a solution and possibly adjust shelter capacity limits.
“Through this work with the Health Unit, they’ve been able to expand capacity at the shelter from 10 clients to 20. This enables them to accommodate people for a full shelter intake, and also warming room services (people who are not necessarily looking for a bed/all night long support). Ideally, Campbell said the two services will continue separately as staffing allows, since two locations creates greater ability for distancing.
“But this model allows everyone to be accommodated with the resources currently available.”
Transition House continues to have mandatory rapid testing and screening before entry, mandatory masking, heightened cleaning protocols etc.
When staffing became a challenge, Campbell said, “administrators immediately began working with the Health Unit to re-assess shelter operations and identify additional on-site capacity, where warming room and shelter operations could be safely consolidated to ensure continued provision of these essential services.”
“As with all sectors, providers of community services including homelessness supports are operating in a dynamic and ever-changing environment due to COVID-19.”
“As requirements change and challenges arise, homelessness system partners have demonstrated exceptional agility and resilience in adjusting services to ensure ongoing supports for people in need.”
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
