A Look Inside Moncton’s New Homeless Shelter

Moncton’s new homeless shelter is set to start welcoming clients within the next few weeks according to the executive director.

Jean Dubé says the top floor of the new shelter, where clients will stay is about 90 per cent done.

Dubé says the delays were necessary to ensure the facility was safe for those working and seeking shelter inside.

Renovation to 75 Albert street include a new ventilation system, kitchen, walls and plumbing.

Among a few other changes to their system, Dubé says they’ve decided to eliminate curfew.

“We’re not dealing with animals here, we’re dealing with people. I want to treat these people with dignity and I’m going to prove it. If they want to go out at night, they can go out at night. If they want to come in late, come in late. We want to work on their problems, these people have serious issues and we want to help them along,” says Dubé.

Individuals are welcome 24/7, whether they need something to eat, somewhere to stay or other services.

Dubé also says they are working closely with Horizon and Vitalite health networks.

“We’ve been discussing the wrap-around services for a while. We want to stop managing the problem of homelessness and we want to find solutions to it. Often the addiction is tied into mental health issues or trauma, if you don’t treat that then you’ll be treating the addiction for life and so we want to connect them with the right people,” he says.

Dubé says the new shelter can accommodate up to 120 individuals, including a section just for women, so they have a place to go where they can feel safe.

Each guest will also have their own locker for safe keeping of their personal items.