A local homelessness committee says the city is heading into winter with major gaps in housing and basic services.
The Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee told council this week that several issues first raised in June remain unresolved, including stalled transitional housing projects and the possible loss of morning supports for unhoused residents.
Community co‑ordinator Andrea Ann said a number of transitional and supportive housing projects expected before the cold weather have not moved ahead.
She told councillors the delays are adding pressure on shelters and frontline workers who are already stretched.
“GMHSC recognizes and appreciates that the city is continuing to support the transitional and supportive housing,” Ann said.
“However, several much-needed projects that were expected to be in place before the colder months … have not moved forward.”
Ann said transitional housing is essential because it reduces shelter use and gives people different levels of support depending on their needs.
She told the council that communities should be inclusive, not segregated, and that the pace of progress is not matching the urgency of the situation.
The committee also raised concerns about morning services for unhoused residents. Ann said the Anglican Church ended its breakfast program in June, leaving people without meals, showers, laundry services or a place to connect.
She said the committee redirected temporary funding to Harvest House so that those services could continue, but that support would end on December 31.
Without new funding, Ann said her understanding is that Harvest House would only be able to serve its own clients.
“It’s the fact that this population wouldn’t have anywhere to go and have a shower, wash their clothes, get clean clothes if needed and have that human connection,” she said.
Councillors pressed for details on what would happen on January 1.
Ann said she could not speak for the province or Harvest House, but confirmed that a funding proposal has been submitted to Social Development, and the organization is waiting for a response.
She told the council she would follow up with staff to share any updates.
City staff said this was the first time they had heard the situation described in this way and said they would contact Harvest House and the province to understand what options may be available.
Several councillors expressed concern that this was the final council meeting of the year and that the funding deadline would arrive before they meet again in January.
Ann also updated the council on other work underway.
She said 32 members attended the committee’s November meeting, and the group supported the recent point‑in‑time homelessness count led by the Human Development Council. Results are expected in February.
She also noted a summer food research project involving more than 20 community organizations, which identified barriers in transportation, storage and access to diverse, nutritious food.
Ann said the committee will continue working with the city, the province and community partners to support frontline workers and push for faster action on transitional and supportive housing.
