Connections for Seniors officially opened a new housing centre in St. John’s on Thursday, providing a dedicated space for older adults experiencing homelessness. Located in the former deanery of St. Patrick’s Church on Patrick Street, the centre will offer 35 beds and various drop-in services to support seniors in finding stable housing.
The facility aims to address the specific needs of seniors, who often struggle with technology and housing resources. Mohamed Abdallah, the executive director, expressed the importance of the centre in helping seniors transition out of homelessness swiftly, ideally within two months.
Although the grand opening has occurred, the centre is not yet operational due to pending funding from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. Abdallah expects to start accommodating residents within four weeks once the funds are secured. The centre has been approved for five years of funding, but some accessibility improvements, such as ramps and potentially an elevator, are still being planned.
Abdallah emphasized the need for a separate facility for seniors to avoid issues like violence and abuse that can occur when different age groups are mixed. Provincial Housing Minister John Abbott and other community leaders attended the opening, acknowledging the growing need for senior-specific housing solutions and expressing support for the centre’s role in addressing homelessness among older adults.
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