If you walk through Waterloo Village today, you will notice a major transformation. A vacant piece of land is now a transition home for women coming off the streets. The site previously served as an encampment for unhoused individuals in Saint John. Now, it features a 12 unit complex nearing completion and opening this fall.

According to CBC News, the project provides in house support from the non profit organization Fresh Start Services.

A Safe Space for Vulnerable Women

Brenda Cullins expects to be one of the first tenants. She currently lives on the street and understands the harsh reality of the housing crisis.

“Nobody knows what it is like to live on the street, unless you live on the street,” Cullins said. “People judge us when they drive by and say, get out, get a job, get a home.”

Cullins noted that high rents make finding a home impossible for many. She believes having a dedicated place to live changes everything.

Support Services and Community Impact

The new building bears the name House of Merritt. It honors Lois Merritt, the longtime executive director of Fresh Start who died in 2018.

Melanie Vautour serves as the current executive director of Fresh Start Services. She confirmed that women moving into the complex receive access to on site support services.

“We need that supported housing piece for people who have lived on the street,” Vautour said. “We have individuals here now that have been outside for 12 years. For them to move back inside, they need that support and that friendship that allows them to believe in themselves, that they can stay housed and not end up outside again.”

Seth Asimakos is the general manager and cofounder of Kaleidoscope, a partner organization in the project. He highlighted the dramatic transformation of the Waterloo Village site.

“Three years ago, it was not hard to see the desperation that was in the site,” Asimakos said. “It was literally full of tents, and now we have got a new 12 unit building to serve those exact people, to make sure that we are getting people out of homelessness and keeping them out of homelessness.”

Addressing a Growing Crisis

The Saint John Human Development Council, the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, and three levels of government invested over 3.7 million dollars into the project.

This funding arrives at a critical time. Vautour pointed out that the homeless population in Saint John continues to grow rapidly.

“When we started on this venture, there were just under 100 people experiencing homelessness in our community,” Vautour said. “Today, of course, those numbers are over 500. We are seeing an inflow to homelessness every month that we just cannot house ourselves.”

The House of Merritt stands as a vital step toward providing permanent solutions for vulnerable women in your city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the House of Merritt?

The House of Merritt is a new 12 unit transitional housing complex for women in Saint John. It provides safe living spaces and on site support services for women transitioning out of homelessness.

Where is the new housing complex located?

The complex sits in Waterloo Village on a lot that previously served as an encampment for unhoused individuals.

Who is funding the House of Merritt project?

The project received over 3.7 million dollars in investments from the Saint John Human Development Council, the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, and three levels of government.

Why is this project necessary in Saint John?

The homeless population in Saint John grew from under 100 people to over 500 people in recent years. Projects like the House of Merritt provide essential housing and support to help individuals rebuild their independence.