A newly formed provincial task force on homelessness in New Brunswick aims to decrease the homeless population by 40% by 2029.
Overseen by David Hickey, the minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, the task force includes Social Development Minister Cindy Miles, Justice Minister Robert McKee, Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin, and Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy.
Hickey, the MLA for Saint John Harbour, highlighted the sharp increase in chronic homelessness in cities like Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The task force’s objective aligns with Premier Susan Holt’s goal to reduce homelessness by 40% by 2028, focusing on collaborative efforts among various government departments, non-profits, and municipalities.
Hickey envisions the task force as a platform for unified decision-making to address homelessness effectively, emphasizing the need to break down government silos and implement an emergency response approach.
The group plans to establish an advisory council involving community and municipal partners to enhance the effectiveness of their initiatives.
Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers expressed support for the task force, drawing from the city’s experience with a similar initiative that yielded positive results in addressing homelessness, mental health, and addiction issues.
Furthermore, the province has committed to implementing key recommendations from Fredericton’s task force, focusing on constructing low-barrier housing units, developing diversion services, creating transitional programs, and expanding mental health and substance abuse treatment options.
Rogers commended the province for its dedicated approach to tackling homelessness and emphasized the importance of community involvement in the task force’s decision-making process.
Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for municipal representation in the task force to address the specific homelessness challenges faced by different cities.
Moncton’s Deputy Mayor Paulette Thériault expressed full commitment to the initiative, emphasizing the necessity of interdepartmental collaboration for the swift implementation of solutions.
The task force’s primary focus is to develop a comprehensive homelessness plan in consultation with local communities, aiming to provide regular updates on progress and maintain transparency through public reports.
