An out-of-the-cold shelter in west Saint John will stay open longer than first expected.
The shelter at the former Hilton Belyea Arena was expected to close its doors on March 31.
But the city announced Monday that the temporary shelter will now stay open until April 30.
The city said it was asked by the province to extend the existing lease with The Salvation Army, which is operating the shelter.
“In addition to continuing to provide a safe warm space for homeless individuals, this extension allows more time for the Department of Social Development and the Salvation Army, in partnership with front-line agencies, to facilitate individual transition plans for those currently using the shelter,” said a release from the city.
The 40-bed shelter opened its doors in December as a temporary solution to help the city’s growing homeless population. Its capacity was expanded at times throughout the winter, particularly during extreme cold.
In February, council endorsed a motion to create a long-term homelessness strategy for the city.
The motion asked that council “engage with the province on their plans to address the homelessness crisis.”
Coun. David Hickey, who brought forward the motion, said the closure of the out-of-the-cold shelter will put more stress on the city’s other shelters and increase the need we are still seeing on our streets.
“Our non-profits have been in defence mode for a long time in battling this crisis. I hope that this effort, that this strategy can work to get them out of that,” Hickey told council.
Hickey said the strategy should address the gaps in the city’s shelter network and identify funding supports, while also ensuring there are “direct pathways for people out of shelters.”
“This would really be a way to focus on a long-term policy that delivers effective results for the community,” he said.
As of the end of January, the Human Development Council said there were at least 202 people experiencing homelessness, up from 183 the previous month.
Nearly three-in-four were considered chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for at least six months over the past year or 18 months over the past three years.
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