A 28-bed overnight emergency shelter near Brockville, Ontario, is facing permanent closure at the end of December. Concerns arise that clients may struggle to find accommodation during the final hours of the year. The Cooperative Care Centre (CCC) board announced the closure in a press release on December 22 due to insufficient funding, expressing gratitude to the local community for their support over the past five years, particularly during recent challenging months.
While the board assured efforts to secure warm accommodations for individuals on New Year’s Eve, specifics were not disclosed. Shanna Culhane, the director of community and social services for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, revealed at a Brockville council meeting that there are approximately 160 people experiencing homelessness in the area.
Corinna Smith-Gatcke, the warden for the counties, mentioned that former shelter occupants will have alternative housing options, such as the Supportive Cabins Initiative and additional facilities that have opened in Brockville in the past year. Despite these developments, Brockville city councillor Louise Severson expressed concerns that some shelter clients may end up on the streets in 2026, emphasizing the emotional attachment individuals have to the shelter as their “home.”
Severson’s proposal to allocate $120,000 from Brockville’s reserves to the shelter was rejected by council members. The CCC’s funding situation has been a contentious topic, with the board disputing the amount received from the county and utilizing funds from various sources like the United Way and community donations to cover financial gaps. Smith-Gatcke criticized the shelter for exceeding its budget for 24 beds and suggested the financial mismanagement as the root cause of the funding challenges.
Despite attempts to seek a response from Tony Barnes, the board’s treasurer, regarding the allegations, no reply was received. The closure of the Cooperative Care Centre on New Year’s Eve marks the end of its five-year operation in Brockville.