The Governments of Canada and New Brunswick to expand downtown Moncton shelter

MONCTON, NB, May 24, 2019 /CNW/ - The federal and provincial governments are investing a total of $480,000 for the purchase and renovation of a building to help Nazareth House expand its shelter operations.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Moncton?Riverview?Dieppe, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Dorothy Shephard, Minister of Social Development, made the announcement today.

The new facility will be a shelter with damp and dry areas for clients. It also offers onsite access to wrap-around support services that will help clients who struggle with their mental health and/or addictions and help them as they transition to more permanent housing solutions.

The conversion project will add a total of 120 housing units. Construction of the conversion is expected to be completed by Fall 2019.

Quotes:

"Homelessness in our city is an issue near and dear to my heart, and I'm proud of this Government for stepping up and helping the most vulnerable populations of Moncton have access to a roof above their heads. Our Government is, and will remain dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in Nazareth House. These new units are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who will call them home." ? Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Moncton?Riverview?Dieppe

"Last year, homelessness reached a critical point in New Brunswick. While I am proud of the work we accomplished with our community partners, no one should have to live in precarious living conditions. The expansion of Nazareth House will help professionals connect with homeless individuals so that we can help them get the services and supports they require to find safe, comfortable and suitable housing." ? Honourable Dorothy Shephard, Minister of Social Development

"Eliminating homelessness requires that we think differently and act collectively to find sustainable and long-lasting solutions. We must join our efforts from merely managing the problem, to completely stamping it out." ? Jean F. Dubé, Executive Director of Nazareth House

Quick Facts

• The $480,000 investment is a 50-50 cost-shared initiative made possible through the Investment in Affordable Housing agreement.
• The provincial government is allocating an additional $66,500 to help Nazareth House with operating costs and will assist in the provision of wrap-around services and rent supplements for clients.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
• Thanks to new investments proposed in Budget 2019, Canada's National Housing Strategy will be a 10-year, $55 billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.

Associated Links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation