Northumberland County Responds to Issues Concerning 310 Division Street

Pete Fisher
1 day ago
• Categories: Local

(Today’s Northumberland images with recliners that were previously in the warming area and with table setting chairs that are in place now)

Following the press release issued by the Town of Cobourg on April 14, 2025 concerning orders issued under the Emergency Care Establishment By-Law and the Ontario Fire Code, Today’s Northumberland reached out to Northumberland County for comment regarding the issues outlined in the release including:

a) The facility will have one staff on duty for every 10 occupants.

b) The main floor warming/cooling area is to be used as a relief space for individuals to get out of the elements and is not to be used as a sleeping area.

c) The on-duty manager shall at all times carry the key required to activate the two stage fire alarm.

d) There shall at all times be an on-duty manager.

Glenn Dees, Director of Health & Human Services for Northumberland County responded to the request for clarification.

Transition House and Northumberland County are working hard to ensure that people who find themselves in a housing crisis and require accommodation can find safe and welcoming services at 310 Division Street, and that these services will be offered in a way that ensures a strong standard of health, safety, and personal dignity is always maintained.

Since the transition of shelter services to 310 Division Street four months ago – and the opening of the ground floor Warming Hub one month before that – the facility has been making a meaningful difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. There has been a steep decline in the number of encampments, and there has been an increase in service to clients who were previously unable to be accommodated.

Approximately 160 unique clients have accessed the Warming Hub and shelter services since doors opened.

4 couples and 5 people with pets have been among those accessing shelter spaces – groups that were previously unable to be accommodated.

1950 meals have been served to clients during this period.

And, through collaborative efforts with system partners, 11 clients have transitioned to permanent housing, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward stability and independence.

As services at this new location mature and take root, staff continue to navigate the requirements for shelter operations under the Town of Cobourg’s Emergency Care Establishment (ECE) By-law. Based on regular By-law inspections since opening, staff have made prompt changes such as enhanced client sign-in processes, maintenance, and property standards-related enhancements.

In response to nearly daily inspections over the last week, as well as orders issued on Friday, April 11, staff have once again taken action to adjust practices as follows:

Order note that the facility will have one staff on duty for every 10 occupants: In planning for the opening of 310 Division Street, Northumberland County and Transition House sought to deliver a high standard of service by striving for a low ratio of 10 clients to every 1 staff member. There are no provincial standards for shelter staffing, however it is typical for staffing ratios in shelters to be between 10 to 20 clients for every 1 staff member, and the goal for 310 Division Street was to achieve the lower end of this range.

Historically, in exceptional circumstances such as inclement weather or a client presenting in crisis, admission to shelter would be permitted temporarily, beyond the ideal staffing ratio, so long as the total number did not exceed capacity requirements for the building under the Fire Code, along with other resourcing considerations.

During the By-law inspection on April 11, 2025, four on-duty shelter staff were supporting 43 clients, or a ratio of 10.75 clients to 1 staff. Because this was higher than the 10 clients to 1 staff member ratio that the County and Transition House indicated in the Fire Safety Plan, orders under the By-law were issued.

Going forward, the staff-to-client ratios will be strictly upheld while staff engage the Fire Department to review the Fire Safety Plan.

Order note that the main floor warming/cooling area is to be used as a relief space for individuals to get out of the elements and is not to be used as a sleeping area: The Fire Safety Plan for 310 Division Street states that the Warming Hub is not to be used as a sleeping area – and it is not.

The County and Transition House understand “sleeping area” to mean a room designed for sleeping and used primarily for that purpose. The Warming Hub contains no beds, cots, couches, or other furniture designed for sleeping. The lights are always on, and it is always occupied by active people including trained staff. Like any living area in any private home, people may occasionally fall asleep for short periods even in places not designed primarily for that purpose, but the Warming Hub is never used for long-term sleeping. However, during the By-law inspection, some clients at rest appeared to be asleep in provided armchairs. This was viewed as being in contravention of the ECE By-law, prompting an order.

After much discussion, shelter staff removed the armchairs from this space the following day and replaced them with more table settings. In so doing, Transition House hopes to maintain a welcoming space for clients while addressing requirements. The County and Transition House will be engaging further with By-law and Fire about possible alternative remedies, and hope to be able to restore armchairs in the future to ensure a comfortable drop-in space for people seeking rest and safety from the elements.

Order note that the on-duty manager shall at all times carry the key required to activate the two-stage fire alarm, and that there shall at all times be an on-duty manager: Under the Fire Safety Plan approved by the Cobourg Fire Department, all Transition House staff are considered “supervisory staff” and carry keys for access to all client rooms and common areas. All staff are trained on the Fire Safety Plan and emergency response. In addition, on-site security has a master key for the entire building, including the key to access the fire panel to activate the two-stage fire alarm.

On-duty staff are present at all times at 310 Division Street, in addition to at least one security person, and an on-call manager/supervisor is available 24/7. Staff have determined that this order resulted from a miscommunication during the inspection.

Northumberland County and Transition House will continue to collaborate with the Town of Cobourg and Cobourg Fire Department to overcome challenges and ensure the mutual goal of safe and dignified services for people experiencing homelessness, and the well-being of the community.

Update: Cobourg Issues Orders to Transition House (310 Division) Under ECE By-Law

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