Northumberland County Director of Community & Social Services Lisa Horne has responded to comments made by Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland.
On Thursday, September 12, 2024, Cleveland stated that Northumberland County has abandoned Cobourg and the encampment residents in a exclusive interview.
On Friday, Horne responded to comments made by Cleveland.
“Northumberland County continues to coordinate with partners on outreach work, with caseworkers continuing to make connections with individuals experiencing homelessness who are tenting – on the former Brookside property and elsewhere – to support a transition from encampment to community services. Building trust between an outreach worker and an individual experiencing homelessness can take time before the individual feels safe enough to accept support. It is delicate work that can be easily undermined.
The County also continues to expedite all efforts, within its sphere of control, to open the new shelter at 310 Division Street, Cobourg. This facility will better address local need by further reducing barriers in the system that may prevent people from accessing services. It is important to note that there are no plans for safe consumption services at this location. We anticipate that initial operations at 310 Division Street will get underway in the coming weeks, with more information on this coming soon.
Ultimately, accessing community services is voluntary. The County has no authority to compel people to accept support, nor any by-law or law enforcement powers to disperse people from private property. The County also provides social services, but has no sustainable funding, staff, resources, or jurisdiction for the delivery of mental health and addiction services, which are healthcare services under provincial jurisdiction.
There are unquestionably gaps in the system. The County has been vocal and pressing in its advocacy with the province to secure additional resources and supports to try and close these gaps. Provincial partners have responded with funding for expansion of the rent supplement program to help more people with housing, additional street outreach workers, and accelerated plans for on-site supports and transitional housing services at 310 Division Street. The County is also currently pursuing funding for an initiative involving Community Paramedics, outreach workers, and shelter staff to provide transitional services for people in recovery from addiction.
County staff will continue, with deep passion and commitment, to coordinate with partners on a wide range of social services and supports that are accessible to people living unhoused. And we will continue working directly with individuals in need to encourage their engagement with these services. The goal will continue, necessarily, to be voluntary resolution of encampments through these offers of service.”
Video – Exclusive – Cobourg Mayor Says County Has “Abandoned” Encampment Residents and Community
Author: Pete Fisher
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