Province urged to support Safe Harbour

FREDERICTON - The NBNPHA's Board of Directors passed a unanimous motion calling on the Government of New Brunswick to work in partnership with Safe Harbour Transitional Youth Services in order to ensure open doors and a sustainable operation.

“We must protect this important piece of community infrastructure,” said Marc Robichaud, Vice President of the New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association. “Homeless youth become homeless adults without intervention and support of organizations like Safe Harbour.”

The organization closed its doors on January 29 after applications for grants and loan guarantees were declined by the Government of New Brunswick. Since opening in March 2015, Safe Harbour provided transitional housing and support to 55 homeless youth who would have been otherwise precariously housed or homeless.

“We urge the provincial cabinet to take immediate action in partnership with Safe Harbour in order to re-open and sustain operations,” said Tim Ross, Executive Director of the NBNPHA. “With upwards of 6,000 Canadian youth experiencing homelessness on any given night[1], we can ill-afford to leave New Brunswick’s youth out in the cold.”

Safe Harbour Transitional Youth Services is a member of the New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association.

About the NBNPHA

The New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association works to support and strengthen the province’s social housing sector so that all residents can have access to a safe, affordable place to call home. The Association’s members operate and support residents in over 6,000 units of affordable housing in 115 New Brunswick communities.

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Media contact:

Tim Ross,

Executive Director,

506-451-4772,

tim@nbnpha-alsblnb.ca