Moncton works on efforts to help poor and homeless

Moncton is working toward improving access to housing and strengthening food security for its poor and homeless residents.

Kayla BreeLoveCarter says she's working towards fighting poverty and making the city more livable.

"We have selected a proponent that will working with community agents, non-profits, the private sector andour citizens to establish a housing report," said the community development officer for social inclusion with the city.

"Right now we are trying to support the agencies that are out there to encourage use of the shelters we have and to go through the subsidized housing program as well."

Challenges exist

Not unlike other cities,Moncton has challenges addressing homelessness such as varying demographics and its location.

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BreeLoveCarter said there are a lot of transients in the area who are considered homeless, but are not permanent residents.

A number of the city's homeless live in tent cities in a few of the city's neighbourhoods.

Tent city has increased.- KaylaBreeLoveCarter, community development officer

"Tent city has increased, this year in particular it has increased."

But most people are what she refers to as hidden homeless.

"When it comes to rooming houses, shelters, individuals couch surf and depending on weather and location they may be in parks all over the place. There's a lot of hidden homelessness," she said.

But BreeLoveCarter doesn't expect to eradicate homelessness, but wants to ensure services are accessible for everyone who needs them.

"Some individual decide to not be housed and we need to be able to respect that. I think that it is possible for any municipality to say if someone is seeking shelter or seeking home or do not want to be homeless anymore, then that is a choice."

Food and water security

The city began the Tap Water is My Water campaign in June to encourage drinking tap water and also to encourage businesses to become fill stations.

"There are now 90 businesses signed up for the Tap Water is My Water campaign," said BreeLoveCarter.

The campaign also introduced a winterized water filter station beside La Bikery. She said they are also looking into installing more fill stations next spring.

As for food, the city has been working with Scouts Canada to implement options for edible landscapes throughout public spaces.

"We have about 50 fruit trees and 70 fruit bushes throughout public lands. In the spring we will have our edible landscape signage to identify the fruit bearing trees and bushes."