Homelessness continues to rise across New Brunswick. Recent data reveals hundreds of people are living without permanent shelter in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton. If you live in Saint John, you know the importance of community support during the harsh winter months. As temperatures drop, you will see local advocates and shelter directors preparing for increased demand while calling for permanent housing solutions.

According to August data from the Human Development Council, 551 people experienced homelessness for at least one day in Saint John. Moncton recorded 892 individuals, and Fredericton saw 352. CTV News Atlantic reports that local officials state the actual numbers are even higher.

The Reality on the Streets

City of Moncton director of bylaw enforcement and community safety Charles LeBlanc estimates Moncton has around 1,000 people experiencing homelessness and roughly 50 encampments. These numbers fluctuate daily.

Leon Baker, executive director of Harvest House Atlantic, agrees with LeBlanc.

“There’s always your outliers of people that are in encampments, living rough, so your assumption would be that everyone’s not captured so, that number wouldn’t surprise me,” Baker said.

Advocates See New Faces

When you walk through downtown, you notice what advocates see daily. John Renton has spent four years helping vulnerable populations on the streets. He distributes sandwiches and clothing and carries a naloxone kit for opioid overdose emergencies. Recently, Renton noticed an influx of new people.

“A fair amount of new faces just kind of meandering in and you get to talk to them a little bit and you find out they’re not the old story about being bussed in from other places, they’re just showing up,” Renton said. “And their stories are all varied. From bad backgrounds and breakups and job loss and a lot of reasons why they’re coming.”

Renton also cleans up used needles in empty lots and under parked trucks. He notes a significant decrease in discarded needles since the overdose crisis in June. He attributes this drop to users becoming more conscious of their actions.

Preparing for Winter

Shelters are preparing for the cold months. Baker confirms there are currently enough shelter beds available. Harvest House plans to add 20 beds during the first week of December to accommodate the winter surge.

However, Baker emphasizes that shelter beds only offer a temporary fix.

“There’s always hope, but I would say this. The solution is not more shelter beds. The solution is recovery. The solution is supportive housing, transitional housing, bridge housing,” Baker said. “We can’t do it fast enough. The inflow is greater than what our capacity to handle right now from an affordable housing perspective.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are experiencing homelessness in Saint John?

According to August data from the Human Development Council, 551 people experienced homelessness for at least one day in Saint John.

Are homelessness numbers increasing across New Brunswick?

Yes. Data shows rising numbers in the province’s three largest cities, with Moncton recording 892 individuals and Fredericton seeing 352 in August.

What are local shelters doing for the winter?

Shelters are implementing their out of the cold plans. Facilities like Harvest House Atlantic are increasing their capacity, adding 20 more beds in early December.

What do experts say is the permanent solution to homelessness?

Advocates and shelter directors state that while shelter beds are necessary, the true solutions are recovery programs, supportive housing, transitional housing and bridge housing.