Saint John, N.B., makes changes to homeless encampments zone plan

Saint John, N.B., has revealed details for its Housing for All strategy.

The City of Saint John has made changes to a plan establishing where homeless encampments can and can’t be built.

The revisions follow concerns raised by homeless advocates.

Within the plan are three designated zones for tenting in the city: a ‘green zone’ allowing for structured unhoused sites, a ‘yellow zone’ permitting tents at certain times of the year, and a ‘red zone’ banning unsheltered structures of any kind at any time.

The city’s timeline for having no tents in a ‘red zone’ has now moved from the end of October to mid-November.

As well, the strategy now clearly states that relocating people living in a ‘red zone’ would be approached case-by-case.

Melanie Vautour, executive director of the non-profit Fresh Start Services outreach group, said the changes have made the plan more flexible and focused on individual needs.

“We really had some good dialogue and discussion around ways we could make that plan workable,” said Vautour.

Initially, Vautour said Fresh Start wouldn’t participate in the strategy as presented earlier this month, claiming it would push homeless people into hiding and away from outreach services.

Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon said Fresh Start’s participation in the zoning plan was critical.

“They know the clientele, they know the needs, they know what they need,” says Reardon, who added there were no plans for city employees or police to tear down tents

At Monday night’s city council meeting, Coun. Mel Norton presented a notice of motion to remove all encampments from city property by Oct. 6. The motion was seconded by Coun. Gerry Lowe, but was opposed by all other councillors.

A ‘red zone’ will include a space of 200 metres around schools, daycares, playgrounds, and sports fields; 100 metres around playgrounds, and splash pads; 30 metres along sports fields, parks, highways, and railways; and five metres along the Harbour Passage walkway.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.