Federal budget is ‘most positive’ boost for housing in years: Moncton homeless organization

Almost 6,000 low-incomes families waiting for affordable housing in New Brunswick could soon find themselves in new housing units.

The federal government has doubled its investment in affordable housing programs across the country, with $2.3 billion being spent over the next two years on low-income housing initiatives and programs aimed at ending homelessness.

“At first glance it is certainly the most positive thing we’ve seen in terms of housing in probably about 25 years,” said Sue Calhoun with the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "At first glance it is certainly the most positive thing we've seen in terms of housing in probably about 25 years," said Sue Calhoun with the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee.

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Calhoun says that though many of the programs outlined in the budget don’t require any investment from the province — like housing for seniors and for aboriginal people — affordable housing does, meaning there’s no real timeline on when these units might be available.

“Part of that will depend on the money the province is willing and able to put up for affordable housing,” she said.

“There is currently a bilateral agreement between Canada and New Brunswick to cost share this program dollar for dollar,” said Tim Ross, with the New Brunswick Non-Profit Housing Association.

That means the province will have to match federal money spent to build of renovate new housing units.

“We would hope to see the provincial government take this news as very good news in order to immediately start building some new social housing and rehabilitate existing social housing so that we can not only help families and individuals in needs but also create jobs in construction of new affordable housing,” Ross said.

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He added more than 29,000 New Brunswickers currently qualify for low income housing, more than 11,000 renters are currently spend more than 50 per cent of their income on shelter.

Recent surveys in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Bathurst also reveal a high prevalence chronic homelessness.

No one from the province was available for comment on the matter.