The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unwelcome but unavoidable delay in construction of a three-unit, affordable housing project to be owned and operated by the cathedral.

A computer rendering of the triplex of small homes that will be built on Albert Street, near Regent Street.

"The original plan was to grade the land on Albert Street and start construction last spring, so that three people would be able to move into supported housing this fall," Outreach Committee chair Penny Ericson said.

"Money has been raised in the community, the City of Fredericton donated the land and transferred the title, the design work is done, and people at the cathedral are eager to help. This type of compact, affordable housing is sorely needed by the homeless population."

Then in March the Province declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 health crisis, and the economy ground to a sudden and prolonged halt.

The United Way's Housing First co-ordinator Jason LeJeune explained a domino effect impacted the project on Albert Street as well as a four-unit project on Jaffrey Street to be owned and operated by another local church.

"It was really kind of death by a thousand pinpricks," LeJeune said.

When the pandemic hit, the builder of the proposed small houses, Maple Leaf Homes, shut down. By the time the business reopened, it faced a large backlog of orders and heavy demand for building materials. The closure of some municipal and provincial government offices resulted in delays for elements of the project. The two building sites need water and sewer lines installed and this type of work is backlogged, too.

LeJeune said the delay is unfortunate because the projects are designed to help some of the city's most vulnerable people at a time when the vacancy rate for rentals is extremely low. Forty townhouses, each ranging from 34 to 43 square metres, will eventually be built.

Penny Ericson agreed the work slowdown has been frustrating, but she said numerous items to furnish and equip the three townhouses have already been collected and are in storage awaiting construction next spring.

"We look forward to seeing things get back on track next year so that three people can move into their new homes in 2021," she said.

More information will be made available next year about ways in which the cathedral family might be able to help with final details for this project.

A computer rendering of the triplex of small homes that will be built this year on Albert Street, near Regent

If all goes well, three homeless people will have roofs over their heads this summer in a three-unit townhouse owned by Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton.

Penny Ericson, chair of the cathedral’s Outreach Committee, said the Cathedral’s project on Albert Street and a four-unit townhouse on Jaffrey Street, owned by Smythe Street Church, were approved at a recent meeting of the city’s planning advisory committee.

“No one spoke in opposition to the projects at the PAC meeting,” she was pleased to report.

“Rezoning is required, and next steps are taking place at upcoming City Council meetings. I anticipate that it will be accepted because the City wishes the program to move forward, and the land that they are donating is not useful for them in any other way.”

The small houses fall under a concept called Housing First in which homeless people are provided with a place to live and support services. The goal is to make their lives healthier and more stable by removing the anxiety of chronic homelessness. One four-unit townhouse, operated by the John Howard Society, opened a few months ago on the north side.

It’s taken a community effort to get these projects going

“It’s taken a community effort to get these projects going, but fund-raising has gone well, building designs are in place, and it’s exciting to be moving ahead,” she said.

Sample floor plan

The land is hilly and will need to be graded in the spring before the three-unit townhouse can be placed on the plot. This work will be weather-dependent, but Bill Jones will have the three houses ready. The PAC was told construction should be finished by late summer.

“I plan to call a meeting for those at the Cathedral interested in assisting with the houses and their tenants in February 2020,” Penny said. “I will keep everyone aware of the council’s decisions and any changes that occur. It has been a long wait, but it will all be worth it.”

According to the Community Action Group on Homelessness:

• Just $10 spent on housing and supports for the chronically homeless equals $21.72 in savings related to health, justice and emergency services.
• In Fredericton, with its chronic low vacancy rates and high rents, 7,720 households spend more than 30 per cent of income on housing and a frightening 3,525 household spend more than 50 per cent of income on housing.
• There is a 5.5 per cent apartment vacancy rate in Fredericton, and an average rent of $829 a month. In New Brunswick, single income assistance recipients receive about $540 a month.
• More information at The Road Home, Fredericton

Ann Deveau

PHOTOS:  Thanks to Jason LeJeune and Maple Leaf Homes for providing the images.