Saint John develops 'Housing for All' plan after dangerous winter for homeless people

After a deadly winter for homeless people in Saint John, a city council committee approved a three-year strategy Wednesday for responding to what staff say is a crisis.

"As we know, homelessness is visible in Saint John, and it is growing, like it has across North America," CAO Brent McGovern said as the strategy, titled "Housing for All," was presented to the public safety committee.

Encampments of homeless people have popped up in unsafe locations near schools, daycares, parks and highways, McGovern said.

"These sites can become not only unsightly, but a risk to those who are unhoused and a risk for public health and create concerns for public safety and wellbeing."

A provincial responsibility

The strategy, aimed at making homelessness "rare, brief, and non-recurring," was accepted after a sometimes tense debate and now goes to city council for final approval.

The document addresses co-ordinating the city's response to homelessness, and streamlining resources and planning around an issue that is ultimately the province's responsibility.

The 28 actions in the document are broken down into four categories: 

• Coordination and governance
• Emergency supports
• Prevention, education and safety
• Housing supports

City data shows Saint John has 344 chronically homeless people, while 663 individuals experienced homelessness for at least one day in the past year. 

Use of emergency shelter had increased by 62 per cent in the past two years, and Saint John firefighters responded to almost 200 calls related to reports of smoke, outside fires and tent fires in the first six months of 2024. Three people died in encampment fires and one man lost a leg to frostbite.

The homelessness strategy outlines objectives and necessary co-operation with the provincial and federal governments and with local groups already offering support to homeless people. 

It describes a hub for the homeless population to access supports, and calls for a warming shelter to be operated annually during winter.

There would also be an increase in shelter beds, and designated parts of the city where tent encampments would be allowed.

Under housing, the strategy calls for the province to fund transitional housing for 25 people and the construction of new public housing for an unspecified number of people.

There would also be a rent supplement program from the federal government and skill development for people once they are in housing.

Councillors want faster action

David Dobbelsteyn, director of growth and community support services, said the strategy is only a beginning.

"If you're just looking and saying 'there's not much here,' that's by design. This is the roadmap," he said.

Coun. Joanna Killen spoke out against the plan, saying she felt it lacked long-term housing solutions, clear measurable goals, and a detailed fundraising plan, among other issues.

McGovern said in response that the city doesn't collect any taxes to support housing or homeless people, since these fall under provincial jurisdiction.

"While I understand there can be an appetite to move into a space that is really the responsibility of the Province of New Brunswick, it's important that we also stay in our lanes until such time as there are funds that flow from the province that actually enable the delivery of these things," he said.

Dobbelsteyn added that it's challenging for local government to address homelessness without funding, and the city is trying to rush to meet the problem.

"The city doesn't build housing, I think as we all know around this table. We were hesitant to say 'we're going to build 25 units,' when we're relying on senior levels of government and other partners to come up with those resources."

Mayor Donna Reardon agreed but argued the city can still act.

"Everyone will say it's the province's responsibility, but we have the consequences of that, and we're looking after people and those are our citizens," she said.

Coun. David Hickey asked staff for more ambitious timelines.

"Our neighbourhoods have become the frontline of this housing crisis and we need to rise to the occasion and meet the moment with action and deliverables for community where we see a change in our neighbourhoods," Hickey said.

Dobbelsteyn recommended the committee send the strategy to the full city council to approve so that staff can then come up with clearer timelines and funding goals for each action plan.

With Coun. Barry Ogden the sole dissenting vote and Killen deciding to vote for the strategy, the committee agreed to send it to council for further discussion.