Quispamsis town council is taking early steps to developing a strategy to address homelessness.
Coun. Kerrie Luck raised the issue at this week’s regular meeting, and said Quispamsis should be proactive in dealing with it.
“It’s potentially not if, but when, it potentially will happen in our town,” Luck said.
Luck said she viewed the problem as one of being unprepared, specifically as far as emergency services are concerned.
“(They) don’t have clear direction,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Mary Schryer said the town’s housing strategy didn’t include homelessness.
Schryer is part of the social development committee for the Fundy Regional Service Commission and said there’s a lot of knowledge available to draw on to improve the strategy.
“The housing committee, in my mind, would be an opportune place to create that space for people to engage and talk about what’s happening in our communities,” Schryer said.
Coun. Kirk Miller said there needs to be a regional discussion of the issue.
“The housing has to be in there,” he said. “But also support groups for those that need outreach after that.”
Miller said the solution will take time to put together.
“I think we’ve just got to start this ball rolling,” he said.
Council voted to direct the town’s housing committee to develop a collaborative project plan to help ensure housing security in Quispamsis, including development and implementation of policies and bylaws as required.
The committee will engage with stakeholders and experts to craft the plan.
