City officials in Saint John confirm the removal of 20 encampments from designated banned areas as part of the Housing for All initiative aimed at tackling homelessness.

Recent Council Update Shows Progress

During a recent city council meeting, staff presented a concise infographic highlighting advancements in clearing these sites. Coun. Gary Sullivan noted the positive developments, stating, “The Housing for All report tonight certainly shows improvement.”

In early December, Sullivan had raised concerns over insufficient urgency and limited data on challenges in red zones—areas prohibited for encampments since September, with an initial target clearance date of November 17. That update reported nine sites cleared, leaving 18. The latest figures indicate 20 removals completed between September 23 and January 30.

Officials report that 41 encampments have been relocated and 21 cleaned up, though details on remaining sites remain undisclosed.

Visible Cleanup in Key Areas

Sites near Garden Street hill and Crown Street—both along routes to uptown—now show no visible tents. Sullivan observed, “You can see things are much cleaner than they were in the fall.” He remains cautiously optimistic, attributing reductions to city efforts or winter cold driving residents to warmer options. “It’s the middle of winter; it’s awfully cold to be in tents,” he said. “I think a lot of people have been seeking out alternative shelter and I hope that with our service providers, the systems we have in place and the up-and-running green zones and our partners with the province that, come spring, we won’t see the red zone sprouting with tents again.”

Supportive Housing Zones and Shelters

The strategy designates green zones for transitional housing units and yellow zones permitting seasonal tents. These areas, combined with city shelters, provide alternatives for residents relocating from banned sites.

The Human Development Council’s December data reveals 249 individuals facing chronic homelessness in Saint John.

Transitional Housing Gains Traction

Two new sites on Thorne Avenue and Egbert Street, each with 27 units, opened in August and November. Early this year, occupancy stands at 26 of 27 units on Egbert Street and 24 of 27 on Thorne Avenue. Sullivan praised the team: “Kudos to our staff who have been able to navigate everything they need to navigate in order to make that happen.”