Today’s Northumberland first met a Cobourg woman in September 2024 when she arrived back in her hometown after years of homeless in Niagara Falls.
Lara Robertson who is 52-years-old was born in Cobourg, but had been away for six years, mainly on the streets in Niagara Falls.
She returned home to Cobourg along with 46-year-old Dave Scott so Robertson could see her doctor.
Robertson has chronic health problems including neurosurgery, back surgery, Cushing’s (Syndrome), and diabetes.
But it’s been far from easy since being home. She still has yet to see her doctor.
Today’s Northumberland spoke with her at an encampment on January 8, 2025.
The encampment is nothing more than a small tent against a wall at the Salvation Army Community and Family Services just off Elgin Street.
The plastic tent was approximately one metre high by three metres long. A number of wooden skids were holding the plastic in place to keep her away from the frigid temperatures hovering around -15 Celsius.
When asked how she was doing, Robertson said, “freezing my ass off and starving our asses off and the County is saying, “we’ll do what we can to get you in come February.”
Since speaking to the couple in September, they had been squatting at an abandoned residence in Centreton, but with the help from Northumberland County Social Services they were moved to the Lotus Motel on William Street.
Robertson said they were in the motel for two weeks, but they were told their dogs were causing a problem.
“Even though they were two of seven dogs in the place and we were one of two people that had two dogs living there.”
After leaving from there, the couple set up a tent on an abandoned property on Elgin Street, just east of William Street for a month.
Robertson said a neighbour behind the property called Animal Control and Cobourg By-Law numerous times.
The owner of the property called police numerous times to try and get the couple removed from the property.
But Robertson said they decided to put up a fence around the tents.
“Good fences make good neighbours – apparently not.”
Two weeks after, a call was placed stating they were treating their dogs poorly.
As Scott and the two dogs were walking to Walmart, the dogs were seized and Scott was charged.
Approximately one month later, the charge was dropped against Scott. Just over a week later, the dogs were returned.
The couple spent the month of December at 310 Division Street (Transition House) but were told Transition House wasn’t going to do intake until after January 1, 2025.
After spending a month at the facility – Robertson summed it up as a failure to those it is supposed to help.
“All they were doing is moving over the people from 10 Chapel Street and the motel program into 310 Division. As well they did intakes for people they pick and choose.”
Robertson said they were told numerous times they had to, “stop breaking the rules,” but were never told what rules they were breaking.
“Everytime we asked, no one has told us. We have yet to know what rules. We follow the Code of Conduct they have for clients.”
When their dogs were returned, the couple showed up just over a week ago and weren’t allowed in with their pets.
Staff told Robertson they didn’t have a pet policy in place – so they have once again been on the street in the frigid cold.
Bundled up the best they can with layers of clothes, with even the two dogs wearing coats, the couple are staying in a makeshift tent along the side of the Salvation Army building.
Robertson said she appreciates the Salvation Army turning a “blind-eye” to them and appreciates the help of neighbouring businesses.
“They’ve all been great with us – but we’re stuck here with no heat, and no way to cook. What food we get, gets frozen instantly.”
A few people have been generous and dropped off some hot food recently, “but other than that, we’re out here freezing and starving.”
Robertson said on a good note, the dogs have plenty of food.
When they first heard about 310 opening, they had high hopes, “but it seems to be completely running on a favoritism game.”
“If your friends with them – you’re good.”
Robertson states that, “people are able to do Fentanyl deals in the back corner of the property and get moved up to the temporary shelter rooms.”
Robertson only uses medical marijuana and that is done a block away from 310 (Transition House) with police and municipal by-law’s approval.
“That’s the reason they are saying they won’t move us up. Yet we’re not doing it on property. It’s nothing illegal.”
And if marijuana isn’t illegal, Robertson wonders why she has to even go off property.
Adding people/clients that come into Transition House can put their illegal drugs in a “amnesty locker” to keep them safe.
Even if she has a edible, she had to ingest it off of Transition House property.
Although Robertson said she drinks on occasion, she does not do any illegal drugs or even smoke.
The couple even go to church every Sunday.
When Today’s Northumberland stopped by for the interview, Scott was at church trying to get rope to secure the tent they are living in.
“None of this is safe. The back walls started out vertical – but it’s slowly falling over.”
Along with multiple blankets, the couple fills plastic bottles with hot water at Tim Hortons at a cost of $1.50 to $3.00 a day.
“Because no one can give us free hot water, to fill a hot water bottle.”
When Today’s Northumberland spoke to the couple in September they stated then they wouldn’t be going to the encampment in Cobourg’s east end.
“We refused to go there because we didn’t want to be around that atmosphere – drugs.”
“We didn’t want this type of scenario.”
Robertson said the County put them on the rent geared to income housing list under disabled only.
“And didn’t even bother adding us to any other list. And since my doctor had not seen me in seven years,
I wasn’t eligible for the disabled unit because I couldn’t give them a current up-to-date medical.”
“It’s a cluster of bullshit – everybody passes it off.”
Robertson said they have had no contact from County outreach workers for approximately two months.
On Monday, January 6, 2025 Northumberland Hills Hospital dropped off hats, mitts, gloves and a 500 ml bottle of water and a tarp.
“We should definitely be able to survive the weather with those items – right?”
Robertson said, “one night I had to spend my own money before Christmas to buy food to cook for the hub (Transition House) because they had nothing to feed anyone during the advertised 4:30-7 pm dinner time.”
“I bought the ingredients and made enough homemade mac and cheese to feed 50 people at the hub because staff had nothing.”
Robertson said staff at Transition House are just “glorified babysitters.”
“The majority of the time they’re gossiping, on Facebook and get upset if anyone who is a client of Transition House needs basic human needs for toilet paper, or a snack.”
“They’re too busy gossiping.”
Robertson said some staff even bring clothing and make-up preparing for a night out, “rather than taking care of the clients and what their job should be.”
“No one is getting assistance getting any further in life, or finding assistance getting rehab or even the avenues to go.”
“Some just treat it like a big buddy system. And if you’re not a buddy, you don’t get to go anywhere but the Hub Warming Centre (Transition House) and even then, they’ll kick you out for the weirdest things.”
At this point with the frigid temperatures both Robertson and Scott are “terrified” they are going to freeze to death.
Reaching out to Ike Nwibe, Executive Director of Transition House shelter he stated in a e-mail, “our goal is always to work with clients to meet their needs and overcome barriers and challenges.
We encourage people to share their concerns and service complaints with staff. We have informal and formal processes in place to try and resolve issues and ensure clients can access the supports they need.
At this time of transition to the new shelter at 310 Division Street, new programs are ramping up incrementally.
With a new pet policy in place, we are very pleased to be able to offer shelter to individuals with pets.
We currently have two clients residing at the shelter with pets, and at this time we are able to accommodate up to 5 to 6 pets within the facility.
Intake to the shelter with a pet may take more time than the standard intake process, as there are several requirements to address to ensure compliance with by-laws – such as ensuring the animal has the necessary vaccinations and paperwork – as well as client understanding of the shelter’s policy-related requirements, such as 24/7 care for the pet.
Pets are not permitted in the warming space, as this is a shared space.
While the warming room has been set up to provide snacks and light refreshment for clients, as the shelter is not currently equipped to offer meal service in this space, we are eager to move forward with inspection and certification of the commercial kitchen in the new facility, which would enable this new service.
We will also be pursuing funding for a Dietary Services lead, with a vision of providing hot meals 1 to 2 times per day.
In the meantime, staff strive for creativity in the snacks we’re able to serve, for example soup, or salads, frozen pizza, as well as more traditional snack items.
As well, we currently have partnerships with two community organizations who are generously providing hot food 1-2 days per week.”
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
