St. Stephen warming centre warns of 'pressing dilemma' when it closes

The group operating St. Stephen's 24/7 warming centre has warned of a "pressing dilemma" once it closes at the end of the month.

The Warming Centre Working Group, a collection of community members and non-profits who deal with issues of homelessness, said in a press release Thursday that the warming centre is closing April 30th, and there is "currently no solution in place" for what comes next.

"This closure leaves many vulnerable individuals without refuge or shelter, and serves to exacerbate the many challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness," reads the release. "While dialogue has been ongoing, the lack of a concrete plan puts the well-being of our entire community at serious risk, leaving vulnerable individuals without essential resources and care."

On Thursday, Kate Wright, spokesperson for the department of social development, said the province "continues to work closely" with the municipality and non-profit "to develop solutions for those experiencing homelessness."

"The province has committed to supporting both transitional and public housing options for the community, and will continue forward on this path," she wrote in an email.

St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern told Brunswick News "there's more work to do" and he's meeting with the province Monday to learn more.

"They're working hard on it, is what I'm being told," MacEachern said. "It is closing, and they will be out, so the pressure's on, something has to be done."

Neighbourhood Works Inc. has been hosting a warming centre at its 59 Union St. space since December, when it opened as a 24-hour drop-in, later expanding to include sleeping accommodations in February.

At St. Stephen's council meeting Wednesday, Neighbourhood Works executive director Jim Stuart, also the working group chair, warned there is still "no solution next winter," adding, "hopefully winter doesn't surprise us again."

The non-profit ran a warming centre the previous winter in a rented space on King Street. In November, the province told Brunswick News it had contracted with Neighbourhood Works to run the warming centre again, but was identifying a location. The working group said it had considered 20 possible locations, with one proposal deemed not a "viable option" in October.

In December, St. Stephen council declared a state of emergency over a "lack of response" from the province, following the death of Adam Dickerson, 41, who died of a heart attack after being found in a park in medical distress.

Jill Green, minister of housing and social development, said the province had worked on an immediate, medium and long-term solution, and the 24/7 centre opened at the end of that week.

In January, the province announced a temporary housing facility at the originally proposed location of Happy Valley Road using mobile trailers, but nearby residents raised concerns about safety and the proximity to St. Stephen High School. In a meeting with residents, MLA Kathy Bockus reportedly agreed to "pause" the project, and after a meeting between Blaine Higgs, Stuart and MacEachern Jan. 29, the province announced the expansion of the 24/7 centre Feb. 14.

The working group press release says the drop-in centre closure shows the "urgent need for a sustainable, long-term solution" which involves 24/7 support, essential to "addressing homelessness, mental health and public safety in our community effectively."

Wright called homelessness "a complex issue that requires multi-faceted solutions" and "strong collaboration between the province, municipalities and community partners."

There was a testy debate March 27, as council voted 5-3 to renew $20,000 in funding for a Neighbourhood Works program related to youth transitional housing, which was the original purpose of acquiring the former church space on Union Street. At the time, Coun. Brian Cornish, one of the three who voted against, said the project had "gone off track" because of the 24/7 centre, and listed complaints from area residents.

On Wednesday, Stuart thanked council for its support to date, but clarified that the warming centre and Neighbourhood Works' existing programs are separate. He said that the non-profit had proposed a "viable plan" in October that council supported and, when that did not happen, had offered to set up the centre, also with council's support.

"We are here as a direct result of non action, not because NWI wanted to host an out-of-the-cold at 59 Union. It was done because there was no other option, it was the right thing to do," Stuart said. While there are always "significant challenges," in response to community complaints, he said the proposed plan at Happy Valley Road would have been more secluded.

Stuart said that they "will allow this municipality to decide" if it wants the group to keep helping the homeless find supportive housing. MacEachern clarified Friday that it's the province who chooses the service provider, with input from the municipality.

MacEachern thanked Neighbourhood Works for "stepping up" at the meeting, and told Brunswick News Friday that Neighbourhood Works "has council's support."

"Obviously, they want full support, who wouldn't," he said. "At the end of the day, council on the whole supported Neighbourhood Works on their funding."

With files from Barbara Simpson

Andrew Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Telegraph-Journal