Crisis to Collaboration

It’s hard to imagine this unfolding smoothly: days before Christmas, events led to the closing of Transition House, Northumberland County’s only emergency shelter for the homeless. 

In a single moment, more than a dozen residents lose the roof over their heads.  

This is a crisis, and crises involving vulnerable people with complex needs are not easily solved. You might say it takes a village to solve the homelessness crisis.

Those who stepped up to secure temporary, emergency accommodation – motel space – food and other urgent needs know one another well. They’ve been collaborating for years via an assortment of committees that deal with affordable housing, hunger, mental health, etc. But they weren’t necessarily prepared for something on this scale.

Kristina Nairn, Social Determinants of Health Nurse for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, says it helps to go back two years to understand what happened next.

In fall 2016 the Northumberland 20,000 Homes Campaign mounted a survey of the county’s homeless and at-risk of homelessness population. The campaign did everything right, she says, setting the standard for strong collaboration. 

“That campaign was really a great example, and it spearheaded a lot of trust, collaboration and respect between the agencies. So when the shelter closed in December, very quickly a response was needed, so we all pulled together.”

Poverty is complex – its causes and solutions. Answers demand bringing the right people to the table – people with courage to act and skills to unite all of the crucial pieces – housing, policing, medical services, mental health, addiction supports, food and transportation. For the Transition House emergency, that core group involved the Salvation Army, Cobourg Police Services, Green Wood Coalition and the Help Centre, backed by Northumberland County Social Services staff, and the faith community, led by Rev. Neil Ellis.

If Stage 1 of crisis response is making sure everyone has a bed to sleep in, Stage 1a is placing people in permanent housing. And this is where Green Wood’s David Sheffield becomes “just a very key person in the collaborative process,” she says.

“Green Wood has coordinated the housing for individuals on a mind-blowing scale. He (David) knows landlords, he reaches out, he has relationships, he has incredible skills.” 

With the Transition House crisis--as well as an evacuation of 7 seniors from a condemned building in January--in the past, David and staff assist residents to be housed in an area with an almost zero percent rental vacancy rate. Collaboration among the partners continues with their focus on planning and prevention. 

“We proved we could do it. We are better if we work together. That’s the message,” says Kristina.

Want to learn more...follow these links:
County plans new emergency shelter system for Northumberland
20,000 Homes Campaign