Saint John is still ironing out details on where tent encampments will not be allowed in the city.
City staff provided an update on its homelessness strategy approved by council in June 2024.
Establishing “red zones” was one of more than two dozen action items contained in the plan, entitled Housing for All.
Greg Cutler, the city’s community development manager, said it could include areas around schools, child care centres and sports facilities.
“The framework we’re working on right now, looking at developing operational guidelines, process protocols, policies, standard operating procedures, knowing that is a large piece of the Housing for All strategy, we’re working on that,” Cutler told council.
Some considerations include the safety of all community members, human rights laws, individual rights to adequate housing and determining appropriate available spaces where people can be safely relocated, he said.
Cutler told councillors that the framework will be ready and presented to them by early fall to meet the 2025 deadline.
Transitional housing opens in ‘green zones’
The presentation comes just days before the city will begin welcoming residents to one of two new transitional housing communities on the east side.
In May, council voted to designate two properties on Egbert Street and Thorne Avenue as “green zones” — city-owned properties that provide legally sanctioned shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
A total of 27 residents will live in each of the communities. The Egbert Street site will be the first to open, followed by the Thorne Avenue location later this fall.
Each heated unit is eight feet by eight feet and includes a bed, lighting, internet and secure entry. They also have a tablet that gives residents access to services and entertainment.
There will be a shared space dedicated as washroom and shower facilities, laundry facilities, a community kitchen and a multi-purpose space.
In addition, there will be 24/7 on-site staff and wraparound supports for the residents to help them prepare for the transition to more permanent housing.
RELATED: New transitional housing units to open in Saint John
Meanwhile, Cutler said the outreach support team through Fresh Start will soon be bolstered with more staffing through a service agreement with the city.
The agency currently has an agreement with the province to provide encampment check-ins and help with encampment clean-up and relocation coordination.
Cutler said city staff are currently evaluating a request for proposal that was issued for an extended outreach support team and plan to return to council later this summer.
