A protest against housing got just as heated as the weather in downtown Cobourg on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Chance Brown who is “shelterless, but also an advocate for others posted a a number of signs on the south east corner of McGill and King Street East and the entrance to Victoria Park.
A number of people who are shelterless were around the signs, it’s believed at least three were unconscious.
Some of the signs read, “Honk for Affordable Housing, Where Do We Go, and Hey Mayor 50 Is The # Unhoused.”
“It’s a summary of letting people know of how many people are unhoused in Cobourg,” said Brown shortly after 3 p.m.
“Not just homeless, we’re unsheltered.”
“Places like Transition House and Cornerstone have said we don’t match the criteria for them for various reasons.”
Brown because some of the reasons are personal, he didn’t want to speak of them, but added there were at least a dozen that he could speak about.
“The County has been on summer break for the past month so social services have not existed and prior to that break when they decided to switch Transition House from low barrier to high barrier – they should have really considered this and planned it appropriately because where do we go?”
“When the Warming Hub did close down and a lot of people from the upstairs area were asked to leave for various reasons and not just drug related.”
Since then unsheltered people have been moving from place to place just trying to find a spot to rest.
“From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. we’re not allowed to be in any (town) parks according to by-law. So we’re looking elsewhere and keep our feet moving.”
Brown said they are relying on friends and family, “to get through.”
“Unfortunately some of those places are long travels or hard too.”
Brown said the answer is housing.
“It’s literally just building up enough affordable housing,” stating there are always empty rooms.
The interview was interrupted when a homeless man and a Cobourg resident got into a brief heated argument while a Municipal By-Law Officer was also present.
Before the interview ended, Brown added that it is a public area and everyone has a right to express their opinions.
One homeless man yelled at Cobourg resident, Shellie Bowden Shand, “leave us along – we are not bothering you. We’re homeless – leave us alone.
Don’t bother us – it’s harassment.”
Bowden Shand replied, “I haven’t said anything to you and I don’t know you and I wouldn’t cause you any harm or any injury or any disrespect.”
Bowden Shand said she was concerned if someone ran into the signs they could possibly trip and fall.
Since it was Brown’s display/signs he said he would be happy to move the signs if it helped diffuse the situation.
Bowden Shand and Brown had a civil dialogue for several minutes about the concerns of the signs.
“You’re trying to make a point in the public, without the public having a right to say something back,” said Bowden Shand.
“And that’s unfair.”
“All I’m saying is we all have a right to our opinion, to our voice, and we all want fairness in this world.”
But stated to Brown, “this is not the way to get it done.”
But Brown and the woman both agreed that it was a good start.
“You’re having your say, at the same time I should be able to walk by and have my say,” said Bowden Shand.
“And if there’s a death on the street – what would happen? One of these people would be liable and that’s the last thing I want. Now their in jail for life for killing somebody.”
“Have your say, but go about it in an appropriate manner.”
“I came down here by myself, as a woman. I was not expecting any type of violence. I had verbal abuse, but I’m not here to cause any problems.”
Brown agreed with the woman and together they both moved the signs to what were believed to be a safer place along the boulevard.
Shortly after another Municipal By-Law Officer arrived and the two spoke with Brown about his signs.
The by-law officers conveyed that Brown is allowed to hold the signs or have them on his person, basically be in possession of them, but is not allowed to have them on Town property.
Shortly after Brown took the signs down.
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
