Moncton, New Brunswick, now has 319 shelter beds available, after the province announced new beds for the city on Monday.
Moncton's Warm Welcome
The new beds, located inside the Bridge to Home Hub at 473 St. George Street, also come with a 35-seat warming centre which will be open from December through March. “We are happy to see these much-needed additional beds as well as the dedicated warming centre open for the winter months,” said Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold.
Homelessness has been a growing issue in Moncton, with significant challenges and efforts to address it. Over the past few years, homelessness in Moncton, as well as other major cities in New Brunswick, including Saint John and Fredericton has more than doubled. Numbers released in January for the Saint John Human Development Council (SJHDC) indicated a 107% increase in absolute homelessness across the province’s three major cities from 2021 to 2023. Nearly 400 individuals were chronically homeless in Monton last year.
Homelessness in Moncton is driven by a complex interplay of factors, chief among them being the affordable housing crisis, mental health and addiction issues, and economic instability.
1. Affordable Housing Crisis
A significant contributor to homelessness in Moncton is the severe lack of affordable housing. The city, like many parts of New Brunswick, faces a scarcity of affordable rental options, pushing an increasing number of individuals into homelessness. The rising cost of living and stagnant wages compound this issue, making it difficult for many to afford housing on limited incomes.
2. Mental Health and Addiction
Many individuals facing homelessness in Moncton also struggle with mental health issues and substance use. These challenges complicate their ability to secure and maintain stable housing. The stigma associated with these conditions further exacerbates their plight, often pushing them to the margins of society where support is limited.
3. Economic Factors
Economic instability, including job loss and inadequate social safety nets, also plays a critical role. Many residents find themselves one paycheck away from losing their homes, with limited access to resources that could help stabilize their situations in times of financial distress
The Bridge to Home Hub in Moncton, managed by the John Howard Society of Southeastern New Brunswick, serves as a key access point to the city’s four main shelters. Operating 24/7, the facility focuses on rapid housing and diversion, aiming to assess and place individuals into appropriate housing or shelter situations.
“We want to ensure anyone who needs access to a warm, safe place to sleep has that opportunity,” said New Brunswick’s Social Development Minister Cindy Miles, noting that shelters are not only a place to rest, but places to find support, compassion and community.
Miles said her department continues to work closely with municipalities across the province to ensure the right services are in place for their communities. Anyone facing homelessness can get information on services by calling 211.
