Marcel LeBrun, founder of 12 Neighbours Community Inc. stands beside a micro-home at the 12 Neighbours Community in Fredericton (photo from GNB release)
A micro-home project is getting developed in Fredericton to help address homelessness in that city.
It is a partnership between the province, the Government of Canada, and 12 Neighbours Community Inc.
The12 Neighbours community is located at 269 Two Nations Crossing and consists of fully independent and detached micro-homes, each on a small private yard.
“It’s the first phase of the project … and includes 36 mini homes being arranged in neighbourhood blocks of 12, hence the name 12 Neighbours, these micro-homes will be built following the province’s green building standard, and will be connected to the City of Fredericton’s water and sewer system,” said Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch.
Fitch also outlined the next steps for the project.
“The community will eventually include a social enterprise centre with a retail space and wrap-around services, future phases of the project will be to create 96 mini homes in total over the next two years.”
Fitch mentioned this micro-home project can also work in other parts of the province.
“It’s an innovative project which can be replicated in other parts of the province … and there’s a significant amount of work going on in trying to address some of the issues, and this project is the start of something that’s going to be much greater over the next couple of years.”
“When you look at the numbers, this will make a significant dent if not the opportunity to end homelessness in the Fredericton region … it’s an exciting time, I know it’s a difficult time, but announcing these types of projects helps us see those visions for the future,” continued Fitch.
The Social Development department is contributing $1,440,000 in the form of a forgivable loan to the $2,332,395 project through the Affordable Rental Housing Program.
As well, funding is also from the Canada-New Brunswick Bilateral Agreement under the 2017 National Housing Strategy.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms just that by providing many New Brunswick families with a place to call home,” said Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin in a news release.
“The collaboration between the Government of Canada, the Province of New Brunswick, and 12 Neighbours Community Inc. demonstrates a commitment to the belief that nothing is more important than a home. Together, we are doing our part to house Canadians,” added Atwin.
12 Neighbours is the most recent project to be added to the Social Development department’s efforts to provide people in need with permanent housing.
Other projects include the Rising Tide project in Moncton and the John Howard Society housing project in Fredericton.
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