Fredericton’s emergency shelter space shrinks ahead of winter

As colder weather approaches, homeless shelters in Fredericton are bracing for a reduction in available space. The city's Homeless Shelters Inc. typically uses a building at the exhibition grounds for an emergency out-of-the-cold shelter, providing around 33 beds. However, this building is slated for demolition due to redevelopment plans.

This week, Fredericton City Council approved an alternative emergency shelter for the winter months. The Small Craft Aquatic Centre, located on the city's south side, will serve as the new site, offering 10 emergency beds for overnight use. Vanessa Foss, the director of business development for Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., announced that the organization also operates a men's shelter with a capacity of 27 beds and a women's shelter with 10 beds, plus an additional emergency couch.

According to the latest data from the Human Development Council, as of September, there were 353 people experiencing homelessness in Fredericton, with 179 of them being chronically homeless. Foss emphasized the growing need for housing and emergency shelters, stating that "the numbers (of unhoused people) have increased quite a bit, so there’s a substantial need for individuals for housing and emergency shelters."

While long-term solutions are being worked on, such as the development of permanent shelters and supported housing, short-term measures are being implemented. Currently, Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc. has two houses in supported housing, with a third set to open in January. Additionally, a new courtyard lot for 12 Neighbours, a tiny home community, has been approved. This development will add 15 new units, bridging the gap between emergency out-of-the-cold services and permanent supportive housing.

The Aquatic Centre emergency shelter is scheduled to open in mid-December and will remain open until the end of April.