The Northumberland County 2025-2026 Winter Warming Centre Considerations will be a hot items on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
A “urgent matter” report prepared by Rebecca Carman who is associate Director, Housing and Homeless will outline the four warming room options for this winter for the unhoused.
The agenda stated the purpose is to see Council direction on implementing a warming hub for the 2025-2026 winter season.
Previously the 24/7 warming hub was located at 310 Division Street, but the warming hub was closed on July 4, 2025.
Between June and October, County staff toured and considered 8 potential locations, 6 outside of Cobourg (including three churches and three municipal sites) and 2 in Cobourg (including two municipal sites owned by Northumberland County).
County staff received further direction from County Council on October 8, 2025 to further explore the potential of a warming room at 4 specific locations as outlined in the discussion section of this report:
Consultations
County staff have consulted internally with the Municipal Solicitor and Departments of Finance, Economic Development, Planning and Strategic Initiatives and Health, Public Works and Human
Services.
County staff have consulted externally with staff at the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, churches, Integrity Investigative Solutions, private transportation providers and the Town of Cobourg regarding transportation supports.
Legislative Authority / Risk Considerations
This report generally addresses operational considerations with each of the potential 2025-2026 Winter Warming Room locations. Specific liability and risk are considered and explored in the closed session report.
The County is the designated service manager for housing and homelessness under the Housing Services Act, 2016 and is responsible for developing and implementing a 10-year housing and homelessness plan.
In addition, the County oversees and administers annual Homelessness Prevention Program funding to support a system of services that support and address homelessness with Northumberland. As service manager, there is no provincial requirement for a warming service to be provided, however it is identified in the County’s investment plan for 2025-2026 Homelessness Prevention Program funding and is a best practice across the province.
Discussion / Options
Since 2020, Northumberland County, like most service managers across Ontario, have offered a winter warming program for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Historically the location of the Hub has been located in Cobourg based on the higher degree of need in the Town of Cobourg. Over the past 5 years, there has been a growing number of individuals utilizing these services. Between November 13, 2024- July 4, 2025 there were 5,415 recorded visits to the Hub at 310 Division Street.
In 2021/2022 there were approximately 195 visits to the warming Centre at St. Peter’s Church, Cobourg. In 2022/2023 those numbers grew to approximately 1,446 visits recorded. In 2023/2024 approximately 4,044 visits were recorded at the Warming Centre at St. Peter’s Church Cobourg.
Throughout September 2025, Community Outreach and Community Paramedicine have attended multiple sites throughout the community to offer health and social service support to individuals living rough. Of these individuals, few have identified safe options for sheltering in colder weather.
The Warming Hub has been a service integrated into program delivery across Northumberland County for the past 5 years. Individuals rely on this for emergency respite when they cannot access other emergency shelters in Northumberland for various reasons such as service restrictions, barriers to access, or capacity limitations. As of October 14, 2025 at noon, the capacity at 310 Division Street was at 94% (or 2 spaces available).
General Characteristics of a Warming Room
The programming model of a warming room is like that of previous warming rooms hosted locally and is like models provided in other service manager jurisdictions. Specifically:
· Staffed by security personnel with experience operating warming room services in other municipalities.
· Operational for overnight hours, with the potential for opening during the day during extreme weather and temperature events.
· Provision of coffee and snacks, potential opportunities for collaboration with external agencies and volunteers for provision of meals.
· Operational from November 1 – April 30.
Transportation methods explored if hosting a warming room outside of Cobourg include purchase/lease of two vans with additional security staff as drivers; utilizing the GPL bus; working with the Town of Cobourg; and private bus chartering companies.
The following outlines specific operational considerations of each of the four locations being considered for the 2025-2026 Winter Warming Room. Please note considerations related to closed session matters will be addressed in closed session.
1. County Headquarters, 555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, Ontario
A. Mobile Construction Trailers
Operational Considerations
· Requires the purchase or rental of construction trailers and mobile bathroom facilities.
· Requires construction fencing to mark a clear area of services.
· No additional transportation requirements.
· Space required to place trailers and washroom facilities – impacts to parking and space limitations.
Outcomes and Impacts
· Provision of services in Cobourg should increase use of warming room from service users, predominately in the Cobourg area.
· Proximity to services should increase the referral pathway for individuals using the warming room.
· Extreme weather will be less impactful to service delivery as no out-of-town transportation would be required.
· Some potential disruption to other County services operating out of 555 Courthouse Road.
· Alternate model for this option would be to utilize Council Chambers for overnight hours to save on costs of purchasing/renting construction trailers and parking impacts.
B. Council Chambers
Operational Considerations
· Requires the rescheduling of after-hours meetings in Council Chambers, potential use of social services lobby and main reception during daytime extreme weather events.
· Consideration of some potential impacts on programming and services delivered at 555 Courthouse Road.
· No additional transportation is required.
Outcomes and Impacts
· Provision of services in Cobourg should increase use of warming room from service users, predominately in the Cobourg area.
· Proximity to services should increase the referral pathway for individuals using the warming room.
· Extreme weather will be less impactful to service delivery as no out-of-town transportation would be required.
· Some potential disruption to other County services operating out of 555 Courthouse Road.
2. 600 William Street, Cobourg, Ontario
A. Mobile Construction Trailers
Operational Considerations
· Requires the purchase or rental of construction trailers and mobile bathroom facilities.
· Requires construction fencing to mark a clear area of services.
· No additional transportation requirements.
· Space required to place trailers and washroom facilities – impacts to parking and space limitations, access for 24/7 paramedic base.
Outcomes and Impacts
· Provision of services in Cobourg should increase use of warming room from service users, predominately in the Cobourg area.
· Proximity to services should increase the referral pathway for individuals using the warming room.
· Extreme weather will be less impactful to service delivery as no out-of-town transportation would be required.
· Some disruption to other County services operating out of 600 William Street.
· Alternate model for this option would be to utilize the boardroom at 600 William Street for overnight hours to save on costs of purchasing/renting construction trailers and parking impacts.
B. Boardroom
Operational Considerations
· Requires the rescheduling of after-hours meetings in the Boardroom, potential rescheduling of daytime meetings during extreme weather.
· Requires some construction fencing to delineate area for users of the warming hub from regular business.
· Consideration for type of County services offered from this location – this is a 24/7 service location for County paramedics.
· No additional transportation is required.
Outcomes and Impacts
· Provision of services in Cobourg should increase use of warming room from service users, predominately in the Cobourg area.
· Proximity to services should increase the referral pathway for individuals using the warming hub.
· Extreme weather will be less impactful to service delivery as no out-of-town transportation would be required.
· Some disruption to other County services operating out of 600 William Street.
3. Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre, 216 Purdy Road, Colborne, Ontario
Operational Considerations
· Requires transportation to be arranged to and from warming hub location.
· Requires construction fencing to delineate warming room services and locations from regular operating business and parking.
· Requires enhanced security measures (lighting and security cameras)
· Requires approximately 1/3 of the unused warehouse space that is separated from the OAFVC food processing activities. This is space that was already being considered for external leasing, will require additional heating costs.
Outcomes and Impacts
· Provision of services outside of Cobourg may decrease use of warming room from service users.
· Extreme weather may be impactful to service delivery as road conditions may deteriorate and prevent or delay daily transportation services for accessing the hub.
· Provide revenue generation for the OAFVC (use of provincial Homelessness Prevention Program funding – rental of space).
· Potential perceived impact to service users of the OAFVC.
4. Fenella Hall, 8071 County Road 45, Roseneath, Ontario
Operational Considerations
· Requires transportation to be arranged to and from warming hub location.
· Requires construction fencing to delineate warming room services and locations from regular operating business and parking.
· Requires enhanced security measures (lighting and security cameras)
· Northumberland County would pursue the rental of this space from the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand for the provision of warming hub services.
Outcomes and Impacts
· Provision of services outside of Cobourg may decrease use of warming room from service users.
· Extreme weather may be impactful to service delivery as road conditions may deteriorate and prevent or delay daily transportation services for accessing the hub.
· Provide revenue generating options for the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.
Financial Impact
The current budget allocation for the 2025-2026 Winter Warming Room is approximately $400,000 from the Homelessness Prevention Program. It is important to note that when this budget was developed it was with the hub operating out of 310 Division Street.
Below are the anticipated costs for implementing a warming room at each of the potential 4
locations.
1. County headquarters, 555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, Ontario
A. Mobile Construction Trailers
Item Anticipated Costs Notes
Rental or Purchase of Construction Trailer (60×12) with bathroom facilities
$12,000 – $150,000
Further exploration of cost for heating trailers; availability of trailers may be a limiting factor.
Cleaning of water and sewage tanks $6,000
Security Staffing $150,000 2 Guards, 12-hour shifts
Site improvements $5,000 Construction fencing, lighting, security cameras
Program Delivery $15,000 Coffee, snacks, tables, chairs, etc.
Cleaning $25,000 Based on cleaning expenses at 2023/2024 Warming Room
Contingency $25,000 Extreme weather days staffing and programming, unforeseen costs
Total: Up to $376,000
B. Council Chambers
Item Anticipated Costs Notes
Security Staffing $150,000 2 Guards, 12-hour shifts
Site improvements $3,000 May not be required depending on existing security measures in place
Program Delivery $15,000 Coffee, snacks, tables, chairs, etc.
Cleaning $25,000 Based on cleaning expenses at 2023/2024 Warming Room
Contingency $25,000 Extreme weather days staffing and programming, unforeseen costs
Total: $218,000
2. 600 William Street, Cobourg, Ontario
A. Mobile Construction Trailers
Item Anticipated Costs Notes
Rental or Purchase of Construction Trailer (60×12) with bathroom facilities
$12,000 – $150,000 Further exploration of cost for heating trailers; availability of trailers may be a
limiting factor.
Cleaning of water and sewage tanks $6,000
Security Staffing $150,000 2 Guards, 12-hour shifts
Site improvements $5,000 Construction fencing, lighting, security cameras
Program Delivery $15,000 Coffee, snacks, tables, chairs, etc.
Cleaning $25,000 Based on cleaning expenses at 2023/2024 Warming Room
Contingency $25,000 Extreme weather days staffing and programming, unforeseen costs
Total: Up to $376,000
B. Board Room
Item Anticipated Costs Notes
Security Staffing $150,000 2 Guards, 12-hour shifts
Site improvements $3,000 May not be required depending on existing security measures in place
Program Delivery $15,000 Coffee, snacks, tables, chairs, etc.
Cleaning $25,000 Based on cleaning expenses at 2023/2024 Warming Room
Contingency $25,000 Extreme weather days staffing and programming, unforeseen costs
Total $218,000
3. Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre, 216 Purdy Road, Colborne, Ontario
Item Anticipated Costs Notes
Rental Costs $48,000 $8,000 monthly (similar cost to rental of space in previous years)
Security Staffing $150,000 2 Guards, 12 hour shifts
Site improvements $5,000
Program Delivery $15,000 Coffee, snacks, tables, chairs, etc.
Heating Costs $5,000 The warehouse space being considered is not adequately heated for individuals
using the space overnight.
Cleaning $25,000 Based on cleaning expenses at 2023/2024 Warming Room
Transportation To be confirmed Town of Cobourg supporting these costs
Contingency $25,000 Extreme weather days staffing and programming, unforeseen costs
Total: $273,000 + Transportation
4. Fenella Hall, 8071 County Road 45, Roseneath, Ontario
Item Anticipated Costs Notes
Rental Costs $45,000 Full hall rental for 6 months based on costs provided by Alnwick Haldimand
staff:
Upper floor: $150 per day
Main floor: $100 per day
Assuming that the County will be required to rent the full hall space
Security Staffing $150,000 2 Guards, 12 hour shifts
Site improvements $5,000
Program Delivery $15,000 Coffee, snacks, tables, chairs, etc.
Cleaning $25,000 Based on cleaning expenses at 2023/2024 Warming Room
Transportation To be confirmed Town of Cobourg supporting these costs
Contingency $25,000 Extreme weather days staffing and programming, unforeseen costs
Total: $265,000 + Transportation
It is important to note that these costs assume the regular operating schedule. Extreme weather events will require additional staffing costs and program delivery costs.
Member Municipality Impacts
Member municipal impacts will vary in each option. The most direct impact will be the option of opening a warming room at Fenella Hall and the income that the Township of AlnwickHaldimand would receive as a result of rental costs for the hall. Further potential transportation costs to be assumed by the Town of Cobourg will also be a factor.
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
