Fredericton aims to end homelessness in ten years

FREDERICTON – Fredericton is working towards becoming the first city in the province that ends chronic homelessness.

On Wednesday, the Community Action Group on Homelessness released their fully-costed plan for the next three years.

The plan’s vision sees a “coordinated response and systemic changes” that should result in an end to homelessness in Fredericton in ten years.

“It’s our first step towards ensuring that ten years from today, homelessness will no longer be a sustained, enduring experience for anyone in our community,” said Jeff Richardson of the United Way in New Brunswick.

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“That is to say that homelessness, as we know it in Fredericton, as a way of life, will become a way of the past.”

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By 2025-26, the goal is that no one in Fredericton will be on the street or living in emergency shelters for longer than ten days.

“Anybody who comes into the shelter within ten days will be moved into a safe, affordable home or apartment with the necessary supports to help them succeed,” said Mike O’Brien, chair of the group.

O’Brien also said the housing first initiative is close to 85 per cent effective in other Canadian cities

O’Brien says the total cost over the next three years is estimated at $10 million, but will be offset by the money already being spent on combating homelessness.