Province Commits $1.4-Million To City Motel Affordable Housing Project
FREDERICTON – The Department of Social Development announced on Friday that they will put $1.4 million towards the John Howard Society’s project in converting the City Motel into apartments for homeless people.
It is expected to include 20 bachelor-style affordable housing units, 12 peer-supported housing units, a 24-bed emergency homeless shelter, meeting rooms, a restaurant, and clinical and outreach offices.
In a news release, Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch expressed disappointment in the federal government for declining funding to the project and called on the City of Fredericton to match their funding.
“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires the participation of all three levels of government, community partners and the public,” he said. “While we are disappointed that the project was not chosen for funding through the federal Rapid Housing initiative, we are still committed to our investment in this project.”
“We are confident that it will help homeless people in Fredericton by offering transitional housing units, peer-supported units and an emergency homeless shelter,” he said. “We are hopeful that the City of Fredericton will also invest and be an equal partner in this very important initiative.”
The $1.4-million commitment will help close the gap needed by the John Howard Society to fund the project. According to a CBC story, after their funding request was rejected by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the society needed to reach another $2.9-million before the end of the month before other stakeholder funding expires. The provincial funding cuts the amount needed to be raised in half.
Additional plans for the project include moving the Marshal House Shelter, located at 332 Brunswick Street, into a section of the motel and creating additional affordable housing at the Marshal House Shelter site.
“We believe in this project and will continue to work with the John Howard Society to help the homeless population in Fredericton,” said Fitch. “Along with many partners, including the River Stone Recovery Centre, the Phoenix Learning Centre, and the Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre, we are monitoring the needs of this vulnerable population.”
Liam Floyd is a reporter for Huddle. Send him story suggestions: [email protected].