What’s happening with our homeless neighbours in Saint John and their relocation.

The city has started moving people out of the most unsafe encampments around town. The plan is supposed to be about dignity first – outreach workers connect with people, offer support and a place to go, then the old sites are cleaned up and restored.

What makes this different right now are the new temporary buildings going up.

Those are the new Neighbourly Homes bridge housing communities built by 12 Neighbours on the east side. They are small managed villages of micro-homes built around courtyards with staff on site around the clock. It’s not an overnight shelter and it’s not yet a forever home. It’s that middle step where people can get stable, get support for recovery and health, and start to rebuild.

More is on the way too with the Sunnyside community, 70 homes with supports in partnership with United Way Maritimes.

And the main Hub for anyone needing help has moved to a more central location at 100 Waterloo Street uptown.

Relocating someone without offering a real alternative is just moving the problem around. Relocating someone into a safe temporary home with support is a chance to move forward.

If you want to help, you can drop off food, toiletries and gift cards at 100 Waterloo.

Saint John is a small city with a big heart.