Provincial strategy on homelessness released

Press Release

December 18, 2025

SAINT JOHN  – The government has released A Path Home: New Brunswick’s Provincial Strategy on Homelessness, which aims to reduce chronic homelessness by 40 per cent by 2028-29.

The strategy builds on work already underway and reflects a strengthened commitment to address homelessness through evidence-based action and shared responsibility among departments, communities and sectors.

“Reducing chronic homelessness will take commitment, collaboration and a clear path forward, and this strategy gives us a road map to follow,” said David Hickey, minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation and chair of the ministerial task force on homelessness. “By aligning our efforts across government and working closely with communities, we can make timely, effective decisions that better support New Brunswickers who need it most.”

The task force, which includes the New Brunswick Housing Corporation and the departments responsible for social development, health, justice and public safety, and local government, led development of the strategy. The task force has worked with community organizations, service providers and people who have experienced homelessness to ensure the strategy reflects current realities and needs.

“Having this strategy in place reinforces our commitment to supporting vulnerable people with compassion and dignity at every step,” said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles. “By listening to those with lived and living experience, the strategy reflects our focus of meeting people where they are and ensuring they have the supports they need to move forward with stability and hope.”

The strategy identifies key areas for action, including:

• Strengthening prevention efforts by identifying training needs, resources and gaps in emergency response, such as shelters; studying discharge trends from institutions, including hospitals, and the child welfare system to better understand the reasons people find themselves homeless and providing supports and programming to prevent these outcomes; and improving intake, support and discharge services for people in the criminal justice system.
• Expanding housing options, including supportive and affordable housing.
• Improving access to essential services, enhancing collaboration and using data to guide decisions and measure progress.

The plan also emphasizes the importance of local engagement supported through mechanisms such as municipal roundtables, which bring together local governments, regional service commissions and community partners to identify priorities and develop tailored solutions.

The task force will work with its advisory council to ensure front-line partners, including those representing Indigenous and vulnerable populations, are able to provide advice and guidance.

“This strategy represents a meaningful step toward a more co-ordinated response to homelessness in our province,” said Greg Bishop, chair of the advisory council and senior director of the Human Development Council in Saint John. “By grounding our actions in evidence and lived experience, we are creating a path forward that ensures no one is left behind and supports lasting change for New Brunswickers who are struggling.”

Hickey said new supportive housing projects have been confirmed for Bathurst and Moncton, in addition to one in the Forest Hill neighbourhood of Fredericton. The projects will be partnerships with community service providers and will receive support under the task force’s $7.4 million in emergency funding, which was announced in October. The government is still working with those communities to finalize project details, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Media Contact(s)

Kate Wright, communications, Department of Social Development, kate.wright@gnb.ca.

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