Moncton shelter expands to help the homeless

A Moncton homeless shelter unveiled some changes Friday that will allow it to take in more people in need.

Harvest House has been providing shelter and addiction programs in the city for a number of years.

The new building on High Street features a kitchen, laundry facilities, recreational room and medical clinic.

The $600,000 building received a little more than $151,000 in government funding.

Executive director Cal Maskery said it should be a more welcoming environment for people.

"As soon as they walk in the canteen's there. Because over a cup of coffee we get chatting with them about how they're doing and where they're going. And they'll start asking 'Is there a place I can stay tonight?' Some come in knowing we are a shelter, some aren't sure,"Maskery said.

"We have a shelter at night, and a bed and a breakfast. And [when asked] 'How long can I stay for?' Well, you can stay as long as it takes for you to get back on your feet," she added.

There are up to 24 beds for men and eight beds for women.

"We have a step-up program where there will be some extra beds for those who get working or go to school. They'll be offered their own rooms," Maskery said. "We can take up to 48 in the building and another 40 or so in our housing units within a kilometre of here."

There are alsorooms for people who are starting a job or enrolled in a training program.

The final touches are being put on the building. There is an open house Saturday.

The facility should open in about two weeks.