October 7, 2024: Miramichi Housing Solutions Inc Expansion of Adult Services: Purchase of Property to Continue to Address Homelessness in Miramichi. 

We are pleased to announce the purchase of 273 King George Highway in Miramichi to assist those affected by homelessness, this project represents a significant step forward in addressing the homelessness crisis in our community. At present, over 100 Miramichi community members regularly face homelessness. In recent years we have cooperated with our partners to provide many services, including outreach, a six-bed adult emergency shelter, winter warming shelters, and out of the cold shelters. These have all provided essential supports, but it was also clear that the community's need exceeded what we were able to offer. 

Last winter, the Out of the Cold shelter, formerly situated on Jane Street, provided shelter to 72 unique individuals. Additionally, our shelter on Regina Street, which includes 6 regular beds and one emergency bed, was consistently full every night. Over the past few months, our Regina Street shelter has been consistently at maximum capacity (7), resulting in Miramichi Housing Solutions having to turn away 10-15 people each week. As a result, we have been searching for a more suitable property for some time. 

We became interested in 273 King George Highway for several reasons. The location respects undertakings we have made that the Out of the Cold will not be located in the Newcastle Business District, and that a previous Jane Street/Bridge Street site would not be used after April 2024.  The entrance to 273 King George Highway is private, and the property is surrounded by a screen of trees, providing privacy for our guests and neighbours. While private, the property is close to central Newcastle, Miramichi Regional Hospital, and other locations that provide the essential services needed by our clients. The property also has ample space and storage. 

Perhaps most importantly, 273 King George Highway provides what many of our service users lack: a home. We intend that this beautiful property will remain so, giving clients in distress a peaceful, quiet, stable environment We intend to accomplish this by modifications to the existing house, and an adjacent commercial garage, resulting in improved services while not expanding much beyond these structures as they currently exist.

We envision these changes occurring in two phases. In the first, during the coming months the house will be refurbished to allow it to serve as Miramichi's Out of the Cold Shelter for the winter of 2024-2025. While exact dates and details are yet to be determined, the Out of the Cold will likely operate during nights from December 2024 to April 2025. 

The house will be staffed by three people during these times, to ensure the needs of our guests, and the safety and security of service users and the surrounding community. The property will feature a comprehensive surveillance system and on-site management available during the day for assistance. Miramichi Housing Solutions prioritizes treating everyone with kindness and respect, and we maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy for harassment and abuse. While we do not permit alcohol or drugs on site, we will not turn away individuals under the influence unless they pose a safety risk to themselves or others. We are committed to supporting individuals from all backgrounds. Everyone deserves warmth, a safe place to sleep, nutritious meals, and a positive, supportive environment. 

Following the end of the Out of the Cold service in the spring of 2025, the second phase of work will begin. At that time, the large garage will be refurbished so that it can act as Miramichi's ongoing Out of the Cold space during winters beginning in 2025-2026. This space can also be used as a summer cooling shelter and will provide a drop-in centre where clients can relax, or use washrooms, showers and other services with dignity and privacy. The house will also be further refurbished, allowing this to become Miramichi's permanent adult emergency shelter. 

This in turn will allow Miramichi Housing Solutions to close its current adult emergency shelter on Regina Street, in favour of a 10-15 bed shelter at 273 King George Highway. There will be space for clients to live and sleep, but also for all manner of services to be provided, including case management, where folks can build on life skills, relationships, have a sense of community and dignity. 

This consolidation and improvement of operations will also mean that the property will thereafter be staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Miramichi Housing Solutions intends to be a good neighbour, and we trust that this communication will be taken in that spirit. We realize that more will be needed to build and maintain that trust and will be reaching out to nearby properties in the days to come. 

Zoning applications to facilitate these changes are also ongoing, and we look forward to engaging with our community around these plans. 

For further information, please reach out to Miramichi Housing Solutions at the following: Contact Number: 506-625-1712 Email: director@miramichihousingsolutions.ca