Housing Minister David Hickey acknowledged that the province could have done a better job with public consultation regarding a proposed 24-unit tiny home development for homeless individuals in Fredericton. The development, located on Forest Hill Road, faced backlash at a heated public meeting, where many residents expressed frustration over the lack of consultation before the site was chosen. Hickey admitted that the initial consultation radius was too narrow and that not enough residents were informed.
Fredericton Coun. Greg Ericson also criticized the process, stating that he only learned about the location when he saw the site being cleared. Unlike other homeless shelter projects, this one didn’t require rezoning, allowing the province to move forward more quickly, which led to a sense of being left out of the decision-making process. Despite these concerns, Ericson emphasized the importance of the project, noting that the community’s concerns needed to be addressed to dispel myths and misunderstandings.
Hickey promised to rebuild trust with the community, acknowledging that while the project followed a similar process to those in Saint John, it wasn’t sufficient in Fredericton. He also addressed concerns about a nearby school, pledging enhanced security measures and better communication with residents to build confidence in the project.
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