Location announced for Fredericton's homelessness hub

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More than a month after the provincial government announced plans for new homelessness service hubs in New Brunswick’s three major cities, Fredericton’s hub location has finally been announced.

Department of Social Development spokesperson Rebecca Howland said the Victoria Health Centre will house the location in the province’s capital.

“The department worked with the City of Fredericton to determine the Victoria Health Centre as the site for the pilot project because of its proximity to other services,” Howland said in an emailed statement.

The Woodstock Road facility dates back to 1887 and once served as a hospital, but has since housed addiction services and other offices. The shelter and Fredericton Community Kitchen is located behind the building.

Last year’s out-of-the-cold shelter for Fredericton included 20 beds at the nearby Small Craft Aquatic Centre.

Plans were announced in September for “out-of-the-cold hubs” in Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John. The Moncton Lions Community Centre was identified as that city’s location, and Saint John’s shelter will be in a former police station near the city’s north end. The hubs in all three cities are expected to be fully operational by Dec. 1.

Howland said shelter beds won’t be part of the hubs, but they may provide temporary overflow if permanent shelters beds are full. She said the province has been working with other government departments, regional health authorities, communities, stakeholders, and municipal staff to determine which services should be available at the hubs.

Howland said services will be customized to meet communities’ needs, Howland said, which have been identified with help from other departments and not-for-profit organizations in each community.

“More details will be announced in partnership with municipalities, who we thank for their innovation, collaboration, and dedication to their communities,” said Howland.