N.L. will ‘step up’ to implement new shelter standards, Fred Hutton says

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has introduced new standards for emergency shelters receiving government funding, addressing issues raised about some private operations. Housing Minister Fred Hutton acknowledged that implementing these standards will be costly, but emphasized the importance of investing in people. The new standards aim to improve shelter conditions by lowering barriers to access, providing support, ensuring basic needs are met, and enhancing staff training.

Tracy Flaherty-Willmott of OrgCode Consulting, which developed the standards, highlighted a focus on health and safety while maintaining expectations for respectful behavior in shared settings. The new guidelines come in response to reported problems in for-profit shelters, such as inadequate food, violence, and poor cleanliness.

Shelters failing to meet the standards will face consequences, including losing government support. In such cases, the province may use alternative accommodations like hotels. Hutton noted a significant increase in shelter usage, with over 400 people currently in shelters—a number that has more than quadrupled in three years. To address the growing demand, the province has launched a transitional supportive-living initiative at a former hotel on Airport Road in St. John’s. This project, managed by End Homelessness St. John’s, aims to gradually move individuals from shelters into more stable housing, with the first target of 25 people already met.

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