Homelessness and Poverty-reduction initiatives

Hi there, 

And thanks for your question. 

As Family Status is a protected class under the New Brunswick Human Rights Act, any form of housing discrimination related to familial status should be reported to the Provincial Human Rights Commission. Human Rights complaint applications can be found and submitted here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/nbhrc/the-complaint-process/filing-a-complaint.html

More information about the New Brunswick Human Rights Act can be found on the Commission’s website located here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/nbhrc/human-rights-act/summary.html

Hi there, 

Please send an email to inclusion@moncton.ca, and the team member(s) will be in touch. 

In addition, there are many goals and initiatives outlined in the City's Affordable Housing Plan:
https://www.moncton.ca/guides-moncton-social-inclusion/housing-choice-and-affordability. 

Hello, 

The answer is a bit different depending if you mean on or near your property. 

1) If the situation is occurring on your property, as an owner you can take certain steps:
    - Keep the property neat, tidy, and free from brush. 
    - Ensure that all garbage and outbuildings are properly secured.
    - Where appropriate, add lighting for added security.
    - If needed, add 'No Trespassing' signage. 
    - Proactively advise non-tenants that it is private property and they are not permitted to be there. 
    - If the threatening behaviour continues, contact the Codiac RCMP at 506-857-2400 (non-emergency line).

2) If the situation is occurring near your property, you can:
    - If possible, advise the owner of the neighbouring property. 
    - Report the situation to the City's By-Law Enforcement department at 506.389.5928. You must provide the following information: address of concern, explanation of the situation, your name and phone number (in case more information is needed). *Please note that due to the enforcement process, once something is reported to this Department, they cannot call back to provide updates. 
    - If threatening behaviour continues, or there's a safety risk for your tenants, report it to the Codiac RCMP at 506-857-2400 or 9-1-1 (depending on the situation). 

We recognize that this is difficult situation for all residents, and the City is committed to implementing long-term solutions in working with the social service agencies who are on the front-lines. 

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FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: I have done those things more then once.I contacted the owner of the property next door and a few days later they either or forced to leave on move off his property slightly but once one group is removed another one takes their place shortly after. What can be done to end this cycle?

Thanks for the question, it is a valid concern and a valid ongoing issue. We are hopeful once the new shelter on Albert Street opens its designated 'damp' shelter portion, we should see a decrease in individuals sleeping out in the elements over the winter months.

Unfortunately, we must understand that the shelter is only a temporary solution. The only real solution that will effectively end this cycle is access to housing with supports for the majority of these individuals. We acknowledge this isn't a quick solution or answer to the issues at hand, but what we are seeing right now is the consequence of investing in short term, band-aid solutions over the past 20 years. We need to begin taking aim at the long term, proven strategies that work, and start creating those solutions within our community. 

Organizations throughout our city (you can see a list of some of them at www.monctonhomelessness.org) are working together, creating supportive housing, building data bases to track the issue, and implementing best practices from the leading voices across the Country on effectively ending homelessness. But we need engaged citizens to come alongside us and work towards this solution. So, it will not be easy or quick, but it will work, because it is working in other cities across North America. 

For further information on the plan moving forward, you can visit the following websites: www.monctonhomelessness.org, or www.bfzcanada.ca.

Hello,

You have valid concerns about safety. There are a few steps you can take in this situation:

1) If there is an immediate danger, for example if you see a fire or someone in distress, dial 9-1-1.

2) Otherwise, call the YMCA ReConnect street outreach team, and give them the address of the building. They can help find other housing arrangements.   https://moncton.ymca.ca/en/Programs/Outreach/Reconnect?nolocation=1

3) The City does track abandoned buildings, so you can call the By-Law Enforcement department at 506.389.5928. You must provide the following information: address of concern, explanation of the situation, your name and phone number (in case more information is needed). Please note that due to the enforcement process, once something is reported to this Department, they cannot call back to provide updates. 

Thank you!

Hi Kate, 

The By-law Enforcement department administers the City’s Dangerous and Unsightly Premises by-law and minimum standards regulation. This department also monitors vacant buildings to ensure they do not become a hazard to the safety of the public.  

Various City departments work together to ensure inspections are carried out and the properties in question remain “on the radar” so to speak.  So often, there will be joint inspections or cooperation between the By-law Enforcement Department, Fire Prevention and/or Building Inspection Department.  This ensures that everyone’s respective area of jurisdiction is captured and reduces duplication of efforts (for instance a property may not fall under the meaning of “Dangerous and Unsightly” under our by-law, but can nevertheless be in violation of Fire Code).  

This also ensures that the best course of action is taken as, once an enforcement process starts, we need to be mindful that it can end up before the courts.  The Legal Department gets involved at that juncture and is available to provide assistance to departments in preparation of the file moving forward.

With regards to requirements relating to Fire Prevention/Fire Marshal, owners are responsible to ensure their property is safe and meet all requirements set out in the National Fire Code and provisions of the Fire Prevention Act.  Violations of the Fire Prevention Act may lead to charges in Provincial Court.

Hope this helps clarify, and thanks for your question.

Hello,

There are several elements to your question, so let's break them down:

1) The temporary or emergency measures, as you referred to, were funded in part by the City, but also by the Province. Last winter's shelter was provided as a humanitarian effort to support people living in homelessness, in particular as all existing shelter beds were full at the time.

2) As for the expansion of the House of Nazareth shelter, the City was not involved at all in that process, nor has provided any funding. For more information on that, you would have to contact the provincial Department of Social Development: sd-ds@gnb.ca. The City's role will come into play when the project plans are submitted to obtain building permits, fire marshal inspections, etc. 

3) While the City is having to deal with some immediate challenges, there are definitely some medium- to long-term objectives and initiatives, in particular as they relate to Affordable Housing. An Implementation Plan was approved by Council earlier this year:  http://www5.moncton.ca/docs/Implementation_Plan_Affordable_Housing.PDF. 

Hope this helps! Thanks very much for taking the time to submit your questions.