Residents of new transitional housing units in Saint John, N.B., will begin moving in this week. The expanded transitional housing site next to the existing Neighbourly Homes location on Thorne Avenue was approved by city council in February to include 14 new “micro-suites.” Each of the new units includes a bed, bathroom and kitchenette, with shared laundry facilities, common space and staff who will be on site 24/7. Three of the suites are fully accessible. Seven people are scheduled to move in this week, with another seven people scheduled to move in by the end of this month. The site is operated by 12 Neighbours Inc., which also operates the existing transitional housing units on Thorne Avenue and Egbert Street, which opened last year. Marcel Lebrun, executive director of 12 Neighbours Inc., says the new units represent a more independent model of transitional housing for residents compared to the existing units nearby. “Now they’re having to do meal planning, get groceries, take care of a kitchen and bathroom,” says Lebrun. “These are fully equipped units with kitchens and bathroom… similar to what a regular housing market experience, yet still staffed 24/7, still supportive. There’s still staff there to help people get stabilized.” Lebrun says the transitional housing model in Saint John has so-far allowed several residents to work on recovery and employment. “We have people now who are full time employed and some of those people are going to move into here, where they have more independence… then ultimately move out of here into more permanent housing,” says Lebrun. “That’s the model, and some people can progress quickly through that. They just need something to get their feet under.” For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
