Consider This Northumberland

Summer Edition: Help Centre experiences a 15 percent increase in number of seniors facing homeless in January 2026

Back in January, 11 seniors went to the Northumberland Help Centre because they were facing homelessness. One of them is a 90-year-old woman. In this interview, Kim Lauder, executive director of the Help Centre, said at the time there was a 15 percent increase in the number of elderly people seeking assistance as they faced the possibility of becoming homeless. She said the situation in the county is a crisis. It remains a concern even today. The recent Northumberland County Homelessness and Housing Report, including stats on the number of seniors facing possible homelessness, is rising. Lauder discussed the diverse reasons why seniors become homeless, including financial difficulties, lack of family support, and challenges accessing benefits, while highlighting the importance of creative solutions and collaboration among stakeholders.

Summer Edition: Northumberland County warden weighs in on seniors facing homelessness

One week after the interview with Kim Lauder, executive director of the Help Centre, Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate came on the show to contradict her. He said that, on a scale of one to 10, the situation in which seniors face potential homelessness may be a four to six. Crate will talk about the state of seniors in the county, from affordable housing to unsheltered individuals. He will discuss what is being done and what also needs to be done. This includes the possible expansion of 310 Division Street. The warden will also talk about the recent Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference he attended earlier this week. Many municipal politicians were also in attendance. Homelessness and housing were a major takeaway for him. Take a listen to see if you think the county is doing enough to help seniors and address affordable housing.

Northumberland Hills Hospital officials explain how year ends with $1.1 million surplus

This year, Northumberland Hills Hospital had a $1.1 million surplus. It was slightly more than the previous year’s The post Northumberland Hills Hospital officials explain how year ends with $1.1 million surplus [https://consider-this.ca/annual-report-says-northumberland-hills-hospital-ends-year-with-1-1-million-surplus/] appeared first on Consider This [https://consider-this.ca]. Related posts: 1. Pandemic created challenges and opportunities over the past year, says hospital board chairperson [https://consider-this.ca/pandemic-created-challenges-and-opportunities-over-the-past-year-says-hospital-board-chairperson/] 2. It’s no mystery where Northumberland County taxes go, just read the 2020 annual report [https://consider-this.ca/its-no-mystery-where-northumberland-county-taxes-go-just-read-the-2020-annual-report/] 3. New health centre next to hospital under consideration, says CEO [https://consider-this.ca/new-health-centre-next-to-hospital-under-consideration-says-ceo/]

Ontario Health Team Northumberland tackles waiting lists, helping more than 1,600 people

Finding a doctor is no easy task – not in Northumberland, not in Ontario, and not in Canada. It is easy for officials to say this. But if you don’t have a doctor, it is little solace. Recently, the Ontario Health Team Northumberland – the oil in the gears of the local healthcare machine – marked a critical moment. It said all the people who had registered with Health Care Connect before Jan. 1, 2025, now have a primary care person looking after them. That means a local doctor or nurse practitioner is taking care of them. In this interview, you will hear the person in charge of this process talk about how it happened. He is going to provide a step-by-step path anyone can follow. So, if you are looking for a doctor or know someone who is in need, you may want to listen carefully to how you can join these others who do.

Busy year as county tackles ongoing housing and homelessness issues across Northumberland

Transition House at 310 Division Street underwent major changes in 2025. For a year now, it has been a high-barrier model, operating at capacity almost every day. Last winter, the county operated a warming room at its main building. Then, there was a number of new projects starting up or finishing. It was a busy year. In the face of all this, 1,300 households are on a waitlist for subsidized housing. On top of that, 78 people receive permanent rent supplements. And, 171 households received at-risk support, meaning they were on the verge of becoming homeless without the help. In this interview, Northumberland County Associate Director of Housing and Homelessness, Rebecca Snelgrove, will review her department’s Annual Report. And, while there is a lack of affordable housing and people continue to live rough, there are a few bright spots she will point out.