Saint John’s Crescent Valley neighborhood will soon welcome five trailers, providing housing for about 25 people who are otherwise homeless. The trailers, part of the Somerset ACRES Initiative by Fresh Start Services for Women, will feature 18 self-contained units resembling bachelor apartments, complete with basic furnishings, electricity, and small bathrooms. One trailer will serve as a communal kitchen and clinical space.
This pilot project aims to address the city’s urgent housing needs with a quicker solution than traditional housing developments, which can take several years. The initiative emerged from community advocacy following a tragic fire in a homeless encampment, highlighting the demand for better housing solutions.
The site, located on Somerset Street near the Regional YMCA, will be secured and staffed around the clock, offering support services such as financial literacy, tenancy skills, and access to health and rehabilitation services. The goal is to provide not just shelter but comprehensive support for residents.
The project has faced concerns from neighbors about safety and drug use, but organizers stress that the trailers will provide proper housing rather than a temporary encampment. The cost and details of the program remain undisclosed, but tenants will pay subsidized rents capped at 30% of their income.
This pilot is part of Saint John’s broader Housing for All strategy and could influence future housing initiatives. With 159 chronically homeless individuals in the city, this project represents a significant step toward addressing immediate housing needs while longer-term solutions are developed.
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