Fredericton homeless shelter will prevent ‘loss of life and limb,’ residents say

A temporary “out of the cold” homeless shelter will be established behind the Fredericton Exhibition Grounds following a decision by the city’s planning advisory committee this week.

The committee approved a zoning variance Wednesday allowing for the shelter after it heard from community members about homeless residents facing imminent risk to their safety.

Em Lane, a family physician who lives near the exhibition grounds, shared the story of a patient she saw that very morning who is “living rough and is about to lose some fingers because he hasn’t had a place to sleep.” Lane shared this devastating example to illustrate the need for this shelter.

Lane highlighted that this decision should have been made weeks ago. “We need permanent housing and comprehensive solutions,” she said, “but this variance is one piece of the puzzle, and it needs to happen immediately.”

The need for immediate action was a recurring concern, emphasized by another member of the public who addressed the meeting.

“It’s really important to remember the urgency of this variance,” said Amber Chisholm. “With the second snowfall of this year already behind us, the longer we debate, the longer people are spending nights risking their health and well-being.”

Fredericton Homeless Shelters submitted the application for the former Winners Lounge at 355 Smythe Street — nestled discreetly behind the Fredericton Exhibition Grounds— to serve as a temporary shelter, which will operate from January to April 2025. It’s reportedly expected to be running after receiving fire marshal approval and small renovations.

Warren Maddox, Executive Director of Homeless Shelters Inc., outlined the operational plan for the proposed shelter.

“We’ll start with 20 beds, and if we’re turning people away, we’ll expand up to 40, we simply don’t know yet,” he said. This shelter is meant to replace a smaller one that only houses 10 beds and has reached capacity for the winter.

Maddox assured the committee that every effort would be made to ensure the site remains safe, stable, and integrates well into the neighborhood. This includes the committee’s requirement for 10-foot fencing of the area and other measures. The plan includes up to three security guards on-site, with one present 24/7 and up to two patrolling the exterior at night as needed, alongside four to five staff members consistently on duty.

Despite the safety measures proposed by Maddox, local business owner Timothy Carr expressed strong opposition to the shelter. Citing security concerns, he argued that the facility would attract more unhoused individuals to the area, potentially harming his business.

Carr shared anecdotes about negative interactions he claimed to have had with homeless individuals near his property.

Angus Fletcher, a long-time Ward 10 resident and volunteer at the Out of the Cold Shelter, addressed the committee, responding to his neighbours who did not support a previous shelter.

“This isn’t going away. It’s going to get worse,” Fletcher said. “There are multiple convergent crises that are going to ensure that more and more people fall out of housing, and providing housing is the only solution.

“The only actual solution is more housing, more resources, more availability of primary care,” he said. “If you don’t want to see houseless folks, you’re in the wrong place, because fighting against these resources will keep more people houseless and for longer.”

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He stressed that access to a shelter would prevent “death and loss of life and limb.”

Fletcher also noted that the situation has been worsening. The current shelter was initially established as an emergency measure in 2018, but the need has become far more acute, driven by a 56.6 per cent increase in average rents and soaring food costs since then. Wages and social assistance rates have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

Fletcher noted that “the city has continued to criminalize poverty by putting resources into surveillance equipment for downtown and funding the [Community Safety Services Unit], who are paid to harass houseless folks and report tents. Subsidizing surveillance equipment for private businesses is a waste.”

Fletcher added that current conditions represent an “exceptional crisis that demands exceptional solutions.” He called for decision-makers to “appropriate city land for housing at all costs, create the conditions for a vibrant ecosystem of non-commercial housing, abolish the CSSU, stop destroying tents and encampments, and please allow this variance.”

Ken Spragg, a lifelong Fredericton resident, addressed the committee with an impassioned plea. “When I hear that help for the homeless community to survive, until they can get back on their feet, is being debated—and that there’s opposition based on fear—I can speak on this cowardice.” he said.

Spragg shared his personal journey of confronting fear and resentment toward his neighbors, which had defined much of his life. “If I can overcome it, then there’s nothing special about me—anyone with housing can abandon this fear and choose not to let their neighbors perish in the cold.”

Spragg criticized fear-driven opposition to the shelter and called on the community to reflect deeply on their responsibilities. He shared a striking observation from a recent public safety meeting, noting that an additional $1 million allocated to the police budget could, instead, provide housing and support for dozens of people. “The resources exist,” he said. “All that is stopping us is fear.” He urged the committee to act with courage and compassion, rather than allowing fear to dictate decisions.

Amer El-Samman is a graduate student, researcher, and political activist based in Fredericton, Canada.