What Does “Homelessness”Mean?
Homelessness describes a range of housing and shelter circumstances, with people being without any shelter at one end, and being insecurely housed at the other. That is, homelessness encompasses a range of physical living situations. (Source)
Unsheltered, or absolutely homeless and living on the streets or in places not intended for human habitation; (Source)
What Does “Unsheltered”Mean?
Why Was The Working Group Started?
Various people and organizations in our community became aware of a growing number of people in our community that were experiencing being Unsheltered. The working group was formed to bring together resources from many different avenues and to help bring awareness to the importance of the unsheltered housing.
Our Goal
The ultimate goal is to make sure no one in our community finds themselves without adequate housing. We know this is a long term project and as such we will be working through different phases.
Our first steps include:
- Alerting All Necessary Groups, including residents of experiences happening in St. Stephen
- Providing a Winter Out of Cold Warming Centre for the winter months in St. Stephen
- Helping to communicate needs and how the community can help
Organizations Involved
Neighbourhood Works
Sophia Recovery Center
John Howard Society
Town of St Stephen
Department of Social Development
WorkingNB
How we’re working
To help in all areas of the housing issues in our community, we have different sub-groups who are working from different angles.
Out of The Cold Warming Centre Operations
The operations groups is working to secure the physical location of the warming centre, hire and train the staff needed for the warming centre and will be in charge of the ongoing operations of the warming centre.
Community and Social Response Team
The Community and Social Response Team are working with a recently hired Outreach Worker to identify ongoing challenges and identify resources.
Fundraising
The fundraising team is working to identify options to raise funds to support the ongoing efforts related to assisting those experiencing homelessness.
What’s Happened So Far?
August 2022
Residents of St. Stephen raised concerns over the growing needs of those experiencing being unsheltered. A group of organizations, government agencies and residents gathered to discuss the housing situation in St. Stephen and the surrounding area. From these meetings, the need for an emergency warming centre was identified as well as the need for more services to help those in our community who are experiencing different levels of homelessness.
A survey was designed and distributed to those experiencing being unsheltered to understand the needs in our community.
September 2022
With the results from the survey of 30 individuals experiencing being unsheltered, it was confirmed that a warming centre would be used and specific underlying causes such as affordability. It was also found that many were experiencing being unsheltered for the first time.
October 2022
Various funding proposals were submitted to different levels of government programs to support both funding for the warming centre and staff to support the ongoing initiatives. These staffing positions include an outreach worker, a warming centre manager and the warming centre staff.
November 2022
As hiring for staff continues, Neighbourhood Works, Sophia Recovery, John Howard Society and others continue to speak with and support community members experiencing being unsheltered. Calls to the community for donations of items to support those in need have began.
December 2022
The out of cold winter warming centre is opened and available for those experiencing being unsheltered.
January 2023
The shelter continues to welcome clients every night and is open 24 hours on days with harsh weather conditions.
February 2023
Chase the Ace fundraising campaign has been launched to support the warming center.
Winter Out of the Cold Warming Centre
We’re happy to share that on December 13th our community’s winter out-of-the-cold warming centre opened. This will be a warm location open from 8:00 PM – 8:00 AM, 7 days a week at 51 King Street (Side Entrance on 1B Prince William).
Every morning there will be breakfast served at Neighbourhood Works from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM. There will be shower facilities and laundry available during these times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes someone to be unsheltered?
The important thing to remember is that there are many causes and factors that can contribute to someone being unsheltered. It’s also important to remember that it can happen to anyone.
Where is the funding for these efforts coming from?
Various levels of funding from government programs, municipal funds and non-profit organizations have been accessed to support these initiatives. There is also a group that is working on fundraising to help support the ongoing needs for the warming centre.
What is the role of the Outreach Worker?
The John Howard Society, Fundy Region has employed an Outreach Worker to assist in our community and help those experiencing issues related to housing security. The duties of the outreach worker include:
- Assist individuals with identifying barriers to housing stability
- 1 on 1 assistant to meet their goals
- Assist individuals in obtaining income, health services, other benefits, I.D. etc.
- Coordinating involvement of other agencies and outside resources, working towards the best interest of the individual and opportunities to connect as members of the community
- Advocacy
- Meet individuals in the community ( Tim’s coffee chat, Neighborhood works suppers etc.)
- Register individuals on the BY Name list
- Access and utilize the HIFIS system
- Member of the Rapid Rehousing Committee
- Provide ongoing support to individuals once they have secured appropriate accommodations
How Can Residents Help
What You Can Do
We know that there are many residents of St. Stephen and surrounding communities that want to get involved and help in any way they can. There will be many opportunities to help now and in the future and we encourage everyone to get involved when needed.
Spread accurate information, not misinformation
watch for calls to action for donations
Be Kind to all those in our community
financially support organizations when able
Be open to always learning more
NWI is pleased to be the lead organization in this initiative to assist some of our unsheltered neighbours in partnership with many individuals and organizations in our community. The centre has welcomed guests on the first night and the number has increased over the past few weeks. We have yet to meet capacity, but as it gets colder that will likely change. Thank you to our generous, supporting and caring town and neighbours for all the help in making this a success.
Our first goal was to secure funding and hire an Outreach Worker which has been completed through a partnership with the John Howard Society, Social Development and Neighbourhood Works. The CSRT team also recognized that many individuals that are unhoused lack basic supplies such as socks, sleeping bags and first aid kits. We have developed a priority list of needs and are encouraging the community to support with donations, if possible. The next two goals for the CSRT will be to activate a Rapid Rehousing Team for St. Stephen and form a harm reduction network for the community.
Sophia Recovery Charlotte County proudly supports this wonderful initiative in our community. As Community Coordinator, I felt it was essential to contribute to the planning process through the unsheltered committee, in order to provide a voice for our clients who are concurrently struggling with addiction and housing. We are very excited about the launch of the Warming Centre, and believe that all women deserve the right to have their basic needs met first and foremost. The ability for a woman to access shelter (and ultimately stable housing) is a critical factor in her recovery journey. This is only the first step in the right direction, and we are committed to the growth of this initiative for all unsheltered or unhoused women in Charlotte County
Calls to Action
