The provincial government has established a conditional grant program to help non-profits support the homeless.
The province announced it had approved $7.4 million in emergency funding Tuesday.
The funding will be used by the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development, to establish the Supportive Housing Emergency Grant.
The money will be distributed to eligible community non-profit housing providers to create bridge and supportive housing, or to maintain shelters at risk.
Housing Minister David Hickey, who is leading a ministerial task force on homelessness, said funding these projects allows the government to move quickly in its efforts to reduce homelessness.
“We’ve been working on this Housing First project for months,” Hickey said. “This will align with our efforts in the task force to help those in need.”
Housing Corporation staff are in talks with community partners to identify “shovel-ready” projects or acquisitions in the advanced stages of planning and development but need more funding to be completed.
“Community agencies will provide supportive housing with wraparound services to meet the complex needs of the people who’ll benefit from these services,” said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles. “Which will provide the best opportunities for success.”
