News Release

SAINT JOHN (CNB) – The provincial government is providing financial support to the Saint John Youth House, a planned housing facility for homeless and at-risk youth. The facility will become part of a co-ordinated effort to provide housing and support services to the nearly 200 homeless youth in the Greater Saint John area.

"We are proud to support the work of the youth house,” said Saint John Harbour MLA Carl Killen. “I commend the co-ordinators and volunteers for their tireless and unwavering dedication to provide a brighter future for the youth of this region. Today's investment will pay dividends later as we continue to focus on building the social and economic progress that New Brunswickers expect, deserve and need."

Killen attended the announcement at the Teen Resource Centre in Saint John on behalf of Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud.

The Regional Development Corporation is investing $50,000 to support the facility.

"We appreciate the province's support on this very important initiative for homeless youth in Saint John," said Saint John Youth House Board chair Paul Ranson. "Too many of our young people have no stable places to live. The province - along with other funding partners in the community - is providing the support we need to get this housing project underway."

The project is an initiative of the Greater Saint John Homelessness Steering Committee, an inter-agency group that works on collaborative solutions to homelessness. It includes representatives from the federal and provincial governments, youth-serving organizations and area churches.