A project out of Saint John that puts roofs over the heads of the unhoused has sparked an interest in Moncton.
The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. bunkhouses provide a bathroom, kitchenette, heat pump, air conditioning and bed.
Social Inclusion Community Development Officer Vincent Merola says he recently visited Saint John to find out more about the project.
“I was completely amazed. These are the trailers that have five individual units in each of them. I spoke to the participants and the service providers with Social Development and everyone agrees that this is a very positive solution for many of the folks who are living on the streets. People need a private door to be able to shut at night and a place to call home. Until we build actual housing, transitional housing like these bunkhouses is definitely a viable option and it is a much cheaper option.”
He says they already have a small team who are looking at this option, and at potential vacant city lands to place one of these communities.
“We have about 200 people throughout the entire winter in Moncton that choose to be outside. We’re doing the best we can with the resources we have, and existing shelters, but ultimately this is really what we should be looking at as a part of the solution to homelessness,” Merola says.
According to the Human Development Council, in Moncton, there were around 772 people experiencing homelessness for at least one day in January. Merola says 484 were chronically homeless.
“Every month we’re seeing about 40 to 50 new people to homelessness. We have really good partnerships and we are fine-tuning our whole process, but at the end of the day, it’s still a losing battle,” Merola adds.
He feels the vast majority of the 200 in the homeless population, who choose to live outside year-round, would move into a Somerset A.C.R.E.S. style home if given the opportunity.
But he adds there needs to be strong investments made in mental health and addiction services as well.
