Growing concern for the 127 homeless individuals living in the Albert street tent city and other locations around Greater Moncton.
City staff told council they are working on a “Plan B” to get people off the streets since winter is approaching.
A new shelter that was set to open August first still has no confirmed opening date.
Parks and Leisure director, Jocelyn Cohoon says they anticipated the shelter may not be ready on time.
She says they also don’t know how many of the individuals will go to the shelter once it opens.
“The number for the new shelter has not been completely determined by the fire marshal at this point and they are the body that determines what that number will be. So when that number is released to the House of Nazareth, then we’ll be working to determine what number of them are left and what are the options for those individuals,” Cohoon says.
She notes that there are a number of those living outside that may never want to move indoors.
They are still determining where, when and if a backup shelter will be necessary.
Cohoon said the city has been spending about 30 thousand dollars per month for services at the Albert street tent site, which they hope to get refunded for by the province.
