N.B. Announces $102-Million Investment In Public Housing
SAINT JOHN — New Brunswick will spend $100 million over the next four years to build 380 new public housing units. An additional $2.2 million has been set aside this year for immediate renovations to 110 vacant units.
Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard made the announcement in Saint John on Monday morning.
Shephard was joined by several community representatives at the Carleton Community Centre on the city’s west side.
Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton will each get 40 new units, 68 units will be built in northern regions of the province, and 192 units will be added “in areas of greatest need.”
The Department of Social Development currently owns and operates 3,800 units in 808 public housing buildings across the province.
Most of the units were built in the 1970s and the average age is 52 years old, according to a news release from the province.
Shephard said there is a need to finding housing that is not just for those who are low income but, for the working poor and middle income earners.
“Here is Saint John, 45 per cent of our population are renters and that’s significant. We’re the highest I think in the province or pretty darn close. We need to make sure there is a housing available at all affordable levels and I believe that will be the initiative,” Shephard said.
Tamara Steele is a reporter with CHSJ/Country 94, Huddle content partners.