Saint John wants to make homelessness in the city “rare, brief and non-recurring” over the coming years.
The city’s three-year homelessness strategy was presented to council’s public safety committee on Wednesday.
It is described as a coordinated response to addressing homelessness over the next three years using a person-centred and human rights approach.
“Homelessness affects the health of our community, impacting healthcare resources, crime and safety, and yields profound physical, mental, and emotional strains,” said the strategy.
“However, despite these challenges, our community is working together to support people experiencing homelessness through prevention and diversion initiatives, collaborating on creative solutions, and exploring various housing opportunities to best meet our community’s needs.”
More than two dozen action items
The strategy aims to transition more people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing, provide additional places to sleep, and reduce unhoused sites scattered throughout the city.
There are 28 action items under four strategic objectives: coordination and governance; emergency supports; prevention, education and safety; and housing supports.
One of those items is a pilot project to reduce the number of encampments located throughout the city.
City staff and the province would implement supported sites with up to 25 people per location.
As part of that, “green zones” would be identified where unhoused sites will be located. Staff will also identify “yellow zones” where tents are allowed at certain times of the year and “red zones” where unsheltered structures will not be allowed.
“Designating safe spaces for all community members, as well as creating space for individuals residing in unhoused sites is in accordance with the Human Rights Act,” said a staff report.
“Ensuring services are accessible for our homeless supports this vulnerable population and strengthens the health and safety of our greater community.”
Mixed reaction from committee members
There was mixed reaction to the plan from public safety committee members at Wednesday’s meeting.
Coun. Joanna Killen said while there are several “commendable actions,” there are areas where the plan falls short.
Killen said the strategy is missing more long-term housing solutions, measurable goals, and detailed funding.
“It’s really hard to support this strategy when there’s not information around what it even is we’re spending on some of these things currently,” she said.
CAO Brent McGovern said while he appreciates some of those comments, the city is not currently receiving any money to combat homelessness.
“While I understand there can be an appetite to move into a space that is really the responsibility of the province of New Brunswick, it’s important that we also stay in our lanes until such time as there are funds that flow from the province that enable the delivering of some of these things,” said McGovern.
Coun. Greg Stewart said while the plan does not cover all of the bases, he believes it is a good start.
That sentiment was echoed by Mayor Donna Reardon, who said a lot of work has gone into the strategy.
“Everyone will say it’s the province’s responsibility, but we have the consequences of that and we’re looking after people and those are out citizens,” said Reardon.
“Although this is urgent and we’re in a crisis, this is a less reactive process that we’re in now and more of a strategic process, and I think that’s what we need if we want to impact this at all.”
The plan will now be sent off to council for more discusson and adoption.
Homeless numbers continue to rise
More than 660 people in Saint John experienced homelessness for at least one day in the past year, according to the Human Development Council.
Over the last two years, the number of people who experienced chronic homelessness has more than doubled to 344. The number of people using emergency shelters also increased by 62 per cent during that time.
Other action items listed in the strategy include:
- Creating a program for the “respectful and dignified” relocation of people sleeping rough in “red” and “yellow” zones.
- Opening an out-of-the-cold shelter each winter to provide emergency housing for people sleeping rough.
- Permanently increasing the number of emergency shelter beds in the city.
- Identifying a means for the public to communicate concerns or questions regarding unsheltered sites or homelessness.
- Installing more sharps containers and making portable sharps containers available to clients.
- Updating the Municipal Emergency Management Plan to clarify resources to support unhoused individuals during an emergency.
- Seeking additional funding for new innovative community-based projects to prevent and reduce homelessness.
- Establishing a new transitional housing project to house 25 individuals, constructing new public housing, and collaborating on potential supportive housing options.
- Seeking additional rent supplements from the provincial government.
- Decommissioning the Exmouth/Waterloo streets unhoused site “at the appropriate time” and relocating residents and sea cans.
- Offering new programs to help people experiencing homelessness with developing life skills.
“Recognizing that this will take time and that traditional approaches may not fit today’s social circumstances, this strategy demonstrates how the city, province, and community agencies are working together to help the homeless population,” said the staff report.
