The homelessness situation in Moncton is not getting any better according to the city’s community development officer for social inclusion.
Over the last year, Vincent Merola says the homeless population has doubled with about 200 sleeping outside and about 90 using shelters.
Merola says shelter beds are still available but he says this is a band aid solution.
“They are essential but really folks should only be accessing shelters – at most – for a week. We have many individuals who are just in that system year after year with just no real opportunity to get out of it,” he says.
Merola says we need affordable housing and he adds it seems we’re not getting there and we need to do better.
Even with a five percent raise this spring, Merola says social assistance recipients are still not able to afford apartments and even rooming houses are charging higher rents.
