Moncton councillors call for elimination of downtown tent camp

Several Moncton councillors say they support clearing out a tent camp downtown, which is currently home to about 40 people.

The site is less than a kilometre from the planned location ofHouse of Nazareth'snew homeless shelter.The city has allowed the tents to remain until the shelter opens. It has added portable washrooms, garbage pickup and posted security.

But several council memberssay complaints from nearby businesses and residents mean they need to act soon,even if the shelter isn't open.

"We want everyone in our community to be safe, that isour goal," Dawn Arnold said at the end of an hour-long discussion of the tent site and shelter during a committee meeting Monday. "And I think we need to clean things up."

She said public sentiment in thecommunity has completely reversedsince last November when there was an outcry over the city demolishing a similar tent camp near West Main Street.

"I think as a council we can have a conversation about when, not if, we close this tent city," said Coun. Blair Lawrence. He asked the city to prepare a list of its spending related to the site.

Jocelyn Cohoon, the city's director ofrecreation and leisure, saidthecity is spending about $30,000 per month on things like security at the site.She saidthe city will likely request provincial funding to cover some of its expenses.

Plan B in the works

City staff told council they've been working on a "Plan B" to get people off the streets if the winter approaches and the new shelter isn't open. Cohoon said that planning began in July when it became clear House of Nazareth would miss its plannedopening date of Aug. 1.

The city confirmed Monday that House of Nazareth has yet to apply for a building permitfor the shelter.

Jean Dub, House of Nazareth's executive director, said last week he wasn't aware of several regulations the shelter would have to meet before it could open.

He said the city has hired a project manager and architect to prepare plans required by provincial law.Afire marshal's order issued Aug. 8preventsthe shelter from opening until those plans are approved.

Last week,Dubdismissed the idea that a Plan B would be necessary.

"I see no reason for that," Dub said.

Several councillors expressed frustration with the missed steps Monday.

"Plan B is definitely what we need," Coun. Susan Edgett said at Monday'smeeting.

Coun. Charles Lger was more optimistic.

'Sooner than later'

"I think you're going to see this progress, and I really am confident," Lger said of the shelter. "I think it will be sooner than later."

Cohoon told reporters there's no specific timeframe or location for the backup shelter.She said the city remains hopeful House of Nazareth's shelter will open before another site is needed.

She said it's hard to know how many of the 127 people living outsidewill go to the Albert Street shelter once it opens. A number of people have raisedconcerns about strict rules previouslyin place at House of Nazareth's Clark Street shelter or Harvest House on High Street.

Cohoonsaid the city has only heard "tidbits" fromDubabout what rules will be in place and has yet to receive a full plan that would help determine how many people will use the shelter once it's open.

Abigail McCarthy, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, said the province is confident House of Nazareth"will overcome these challenges and open soon."