Moncton homeless program worried about losing provincial funding

MONCTON – The Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee is hoping funding will come through for one of its stable housing programs.

The program is called the Supportive Housing Network, better known as SUN, and it helps homeless people settle into subsidized housing.

It also pairs them up with support workers who help clients take advantage of community services.

The province funds wages for the program’s two support workers and rental subsidies for clients.

Sue Calhoun speaks for the Committee and says she’s worried about losing the program’s two support workers when their funding runs out at the end of the month.

“We think it’s important for the continuity to keep the program going without any interruptions,” she said. “The support workers plug them into other services. For example, if they need help with addictions, mental health issues or if they need to go to the food bank once a week.”

Those who have lived on the streets say permanent housing is key to moving forward. Kim Allain lived on and off the streets a for about year.

“Nobody else was moving forward so you really didn’t feel the need to,” she said. “It’s pushed me forward to get more out of my life and get a job to maintain that housing and do better in my life,” she said from her work space at the Harvest House Homeless Shelter.

The program has helped 40 people find permanent homes since it started in 2012.