MONCTON – People working to help the homeless in Moncton are worried about how they will try to stay warm this winter, and say dangerous abandoned buildings can’t be ignored.
Gillian Johnson, an outreach worker with YMCA’s Reconnect Street Intervention Program, said she’s worried for people who seek refuge in vacant properties.
“They’re condemned for a reason,” she said. “Because they’re unsafe.”
“I’m hoping that with the resources that are available, we can somehow provide outreach to these places and get into these abandoned buildings and see if people are living in there,” she said.
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She said she’s prepared to help people who have nowhere to go bundle up.
“I’ve got hats, gloves, scarves for those who are sitting outside and maybe don’t have those items to help keep them warm,” she said.
Last month, a man died in Moncton when an abandoned house caught fire. Fire officials believe the blaze started because he was trying to stay warm.
Since then, the Moncton fire department has stepped up efforts to board up more abandoned buildings and keep people out.
However, not everyone believes boarding up buildings will solve the problem.
Deo Cuma, who works at the House of Nazareth homeless shelter, said he has plenty of warm food and beds, but sometimes that’s not enough.
“Sometimes people say they won’t accept people to tell them do this, don’t do this. I’m big enough. I don’t accept the rules,” he said.
Kirk Myers said he understands why people take their chances elsewhere.
“The first time I had to use a shelter, I was even out for a few days just scrounging around trying to do whatever I could before having to suck it up, swallow your pride and come,” he said. “But it’s not that bad.”
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