Moncton city council issues $112K in grants to House of Nazareth

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Moncton City Council approved three years’ worth of grants totaling $112,500 for the House of Nazareth shelter, despite concerns that much of the money will go toward repairs and upgrades to the Albert Street facility.

Council’s decision to approve the funding came during a committee-of-the-whole meeting.

Jocelyn Cohoon, the city’s general manager of community services, told council that grants of $37,500 had been approved for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. However, the grant money was withheld because House of Nazareth had not submitted an operational plan, as per city policy.

The plan was submitted late in 2023 and approved by the city. Staff had recommended that council approve the three grants of $37,500, so the money from 2022 and 2023 could go toward upgrades and repairs to the Albert Street building and the $37,500 grant for 2024 be used to help with operational expenses as initially requested.

Deputy Mayor Shawn Crossman proposed a motion to divide the issue, because he did not want to support grants for years that had already passed, for a non-profit organization that delayed filing an operational plan to justify the need for a grant. His motion was defeated and the overall motion to provide three grants of $37,500 for a total of $112,500 was approved, with Crossman, Coun. Dave Steeves and Coun. Paul Richard voting against it.

The House of Nazareth is located on Albert Street and is one of three homeless shelters now serving the city.

Helene Boudreau, representing the board of directors, and Zineb Elouad, executive-director of the House of Nazareth, told reporters outside council they were happy to receive the funding, even if it only represents a small portion of their annual operational costs. They said the Albert Street building requires approximately $100,000 in upgrades and repairs, including a roof and fire doors.

Boudreau said the shelter has 64 beds and serves a “revolving door” of homeless people looking for help. It operates under the provincial Department of Social Development, which requires staffing of one person for every 15 clients. She said House of Nazareth had to reduce its capacity after it lost staff members to other shelters.

“Our specialty at House of Nazareth is housing people,” Elouad said. “We provide emergency services like meals and hygiene products, basic needs. We also have programming for housing, prevention, diversion and workshops. Everyone who comes to our shelter has to agree to participate in the programs.”

She said the capacity changes daily, with some people staying a few nights or more as counsellors try to find a more permanent solution for them.

Once their basic needs are met, they are referred to counsellors who help them continue on their journey to housing. Similar programs are offered at the Hub on St. George Street, which is run by the John Howard Society with support from the Department of Social Development, and at the Harvest House shelter which offers programs to help people get their life back on track. The Humanity Project, also on St. George Street, offers support to the homeless and recently set up 21 “bunkhouses” at its farm near Salisbury to get people off the street and into housing.

The Hub acts as a collection point for the homeless with counsellors to help the homeless get services. The Salvus Clinic and the YMCA Reconnect also operate from the Hub.

Crossman said he was reluctant to vote in favour of the funding because of its previous lack of a comprehensive operational plan for 2022 and 2023.

Mayor Dawn Arnold said after the meeting that homelessness has been a serious issue in Moncton for several years and the provincial department of Social Development is now working toward better solutions around the province.

Arnold said House of Nazareth provided a comprehensive policy to the city, including the rules and regulations for clients, which was included with the grant request.

“The House of Nazareth will be required to submit a new application through the city’s annual grant program outlining operational and capital requirements in 2024 for funding from the City of Moncton for years 2025 and beyond,” the city said in the recommendation to council.