Somerset ACRES Housing Initiative

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Somerset A.C.R.E.S. (Advancing Community with Respect, Empowerment and Support)

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project is a Housing First pilot initiative led by the Government of New Brunswick's Department of Social Development in partnership with Housing NB and the City of Saint John. The project is designed to provide housing opportunities for up to 25 individuals in Saint John experiencing varying levels of homelessness. The project aims to help these individuals build tenancy and community skills, access safe and secure housing, and for those who are able, transition to independent, scattered housing.

What makes this project unique?

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project offers a comprehensive solution by addressing all aspects of personal and social life for homeless individuals. It incorporates a support system that includes healthcare, education, family, employment, and social welfare. This strategy relies on collaborative support networks to promote stability and eliminate factors that cause or prolong homelessness.

What kind of housing is provided?

The pilot project will consist of five mobile trailers, each equipped with separate bathrooms, showers, toilets, beds, microwaves, and storage. One trailer is dedicated as an office, laundry, communal kitchen, and clinical space. The property will be fenced and staffed 24/7 to ensure a safe and secure environment.

The location for the housing is off Somerset Street, behind civic 344. See map in Related Documents.

How does the support system work?

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project will operate on a single-site Housing First model, meaning multiple housing units will be located in one area. This layout will enable on-site support staff to provide intensive, individualized support designed to build independence, set goals, integrate into the community, and enhance self-awareness of behaviours and challenges faced by individuals after experiencing prolonged homelessness.

What kind of support services are offered?

Support services are provided through a trauma-informed practice and include:

  • Prioritized spending (budgeting based on wants vs. needs)
  • Access to community resources (food, groups)
  • Healthcare and mental health support
  • Steps towards re-unification for those with children
  • Tenancy skill development (basic household responsibilities)
  • Support to reduce the risk of Housing Unit Takeover (HUT)

Participants will also receive education on the difference between guests and visitors and those at risk of HUT. While participants can have guests, any causing disturbance will be asked to leave, with police support if necessary. With staff on-site 24/7, HUT is not a concern at this site; however, skills to mitigate this risk when transitioning to independent housing will be developed.

What are the expectations for program participants?

All program participants agree to:

  • Minimum daily unit checks, with more or less frequency depending on behaviours, concerns, or agreed-upon needs. At least three unscheduled visits occur weekly.
  • Working with staff to keep the area clean and free of debris and garbage.
  • Taking responsibility for their own behaviour and that of any welcomed guests.
  • Respecting close neighbours concerning noise and disturbances.

What is the "Community First" approach?

Unique to the Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project is the implementation of the "Community First" approach, inspired by the successful Finland Homelessness Project. This approach encourages participants to be actively engaged in creating and following community guidelines. Participants collectively agree on conditions such as “no visitors” times, daily or weekly group activities, and community projects like planting flowers. These meetings empower participants to feel greater ownership over their community, build community skills, and slowly bridge into the larger community norms necessary for successful independent living.

The City of Saint John is pleased with the work of the Province to develop the Project, in alignment with the recently adopted Housing for All Strategy.


About the Housing for All Strategy and alignment with Somerset A.C.R.E.S.

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project aligns well with the City of Saint John Housing for All strategy by addressing key components of the City's comprehensive approach to tackling homelessness and ensuring housing stability for all residents.

Here's how it fits into the broader strategy:

Holistic Approach to Housing

The Housing for All strategy emphasizes a holistic approach to addressing homelessness, ensuring that housing solutions are not just about providing shelter but also about offering supportive services that address the underlying issues of homelessness. Somerset Acres embodies this by incorporating healthcare, education, family support, employment, and social welfare into its housing model.

Housing First Model

The City’s strategy endorses the Housing First model, which prioritizes providing stable housing before addressing other needs. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. follows this model by offering immediate, secure housing and then providing intensive, individualized support to help residents build tenancy and community skills.

Collaborative Support Networks

A key element of the City's strategy is fostering collaboration among various support networks to promote stability and prevent homelessness. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. integrates multiple layers of support, from healthcare to mental health services, and works with local organizations to provide comprehensive assistance to residents.

Community Integration and Empowerment

The Housing for All strategy aims to integrate homeless individuals into the broader community, promoting social inclusion and empowerment. The Community First approach at Somerset Acres encourages participants to take an active role in shaping their living environment, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility that is essential for successful community integration.

Addressing Chronic Homelessness

The City’s strategy focuses on addressing chronic homelessness, which often involves individuals with prolonged histories of homelessness and complex needs. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. specifically targets this demographic by providing tailored support to help people overcome the challenges associated with long-term homelessness.

Ensuring Safety and Stability

Safety and stability are crucial aspects of the Housing for All strategy. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. ensures a secure living environment with 24/7 on-site staff and a fenced property. This constant support helps create a stable foundation for residents to rebuild their lives.

Skill Development and Transition to Independence

The strategy highlights the importance of skill development to ensure long-term housing stability. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. offers various programs to help residents develop essential tenancy skills and prepare for a transition to more independent living arrangements, aligning with the City’s goal of fostering self-sufficiency among residents.

Innovation and Pilot Programs

The Housing for All strategy encourages innovative solutions and pilot programs to address homelessness. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. serves as a pilot project, testing new approaches and providing valuable insights that can inform and improve future housing initiatives within the city.

By incorporating these elements, the Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project supports and enhances the City's commitment to providing comprehensive, sustainable housing solutions for all residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness.

Somerset A.C.R.E.S. (Advancing Community with Respect, Empowerment and Support)

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project is a Housing First pilot initiative led by the Government of New Brunswick's Department of Social Development in partnership with Housing NB and the City of Saint John. The project is designed to provide housing opportunities for up to 25 individuals in Saint John experiencing varying levels of homelessness. The project aims to help these individuals build tenancy and community skills, access safe and secure housing, and for those who are able, transition to independent, scattered housing.

What makes this project unique?

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project offers a comprehensive solution by addressing all aspects of personal and social life for homeless individuals. It incorporates a support system that includes healthcare, education, family, employment, and social welfare. This strategy relies on collaborative support networks to promote stability and eliminate factors that cause or prolong homelessness.

What kind of housing is provided?

The pilot project will consist of five mobile trailers, each equipped with separate bathrooms, showers, toilets, beds, microwaves, and storage. One trailer is dedicated as an office, laundry, communal kitchen, and clinical space. The property will be fenced and staffed 24/7 to ensure a safe and secure environment.

The location for the housing is off Somerset Street, behind civic 344. See map in Related Documents.

How does the support system work?

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project will operate on a single-site Housing First model, meaning multiple housing units will be located in one area. This layout will enable on-site support staff to provide intensive, individualized support designed to build independence, set goals, integrate into the community, and enhance self-awareness of behaviours and challenges faced by individuals after experiencing prolonged homelessness.

What kind of support services are offered?

Support services are provided through a trauma-informed practice and include:

  • Prioritized spending (budgeting based on wants vs. needs)
  • Access to community resources (food, groups)
  • Healthcare and mental health support
  • Steps towards re-unification for those with children
  • Tenancy skill development (basic household responsibilities)
  • Support to reduce the risk of Housing Unit Takeover (HUT)

Participants will also receive education on the difference between guests and visitors and those at risk of HUT. While participants can have guests, any causing disturbance will be asked to leave, with police support if necessary. With staff on-site 24/7, HUT is not a concern at this site; however, skills to mitigate this risk when transitioning to independent housing will be developed.

What are the expectations for program participants?

All program participants agree to:

  • Minimum daily unit checks, with more or less frequency depending on behaviours, concerns, or agreed-upon needs. At least three unscheduled visits occur weekly.
  • Working with staff to keep the area clean and free of debris and garbage.
  • Taking responsibility for their own behaviour and that of any welcomed guests.
  • Respecting close neighbours concerning noise and disturbances.

What is the "Community First" approach?

Unique to the Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project is the implementation of the "Community First" approach, inspired by the successful Finland Homelessness Project. This approach encourages participants to be actively engaged in creating and following community guidelines. Participants collectively agree on conditions such as “no visitors” times, daily or weekly group activities, and community projects like planting flowers. These meetings empower participants to feel greater ownership over their community, build community skills, and slowly bridge into the larger community norms necessary for successful independent living.

The City of Saint John is pleased with the work of the Province to develop the Project, in alignment with the recently adopted Housing for All Strategy.


About the Housing for All Strategy and alignment with Somerset A.C.R.E.S.

The Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project aligns well with the City of Saint John Housing for All strategy by addressing key components of the City's comprehensive approach to tackling homelessness and ensuring housing stability for all residents.

Here's how it fits into the broader strategy:

Holistic Approach to Housing

The Housing for All strategy emphasizes a holistic approach to addressing homelessness, ensuring that housing solutions are not just about providing shelter but also about offering supportive services that address the underlying issues of homelessness. Somerset Acres embodies this by incorporating healthcare, education, family support, employment, and social welfare into its housing model.

Housing First Model

The City’s strategy endorses the Housing First model, which prioritizes providing stable housing before addressing other needs. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. follows this model by offering immediate, secure housing and then providing intensive, individualized support to help residents build tenancy and community skills.

Collaborative Support Networks

A key element of the City's strategy is fostering collaboration among various support networks to promote stability and prevent homelessness. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. integrates multiple layers of support, from healthcare to mental health services, and works with local organizations to provide comprehensive assistance to residents.

Community Integration and Empowerment

The Housing for All strategy aims to integrate homeless individuals into the broader community, promoting social inclusion and empowerment. The Community First approach at Somerset Acres encourages participants to take an active role in shaping their living environment, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility that is essential for successful community integration.

Addressing Chronic Homelessness

The City’s strategy focuses on addressing chronic homelessness, which often involves individuals with prolonged histories of homelessness and complex needs. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. specifically targets this demographic by providing tailored support to help people overcome the challenges associated with long-term homelessness.

Ensuring Safety and Stability

Safety and stability are crucial aspects of the Housing for All strategy. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. ensures a secure living environment with 24/7 on-site staff and a fenced property. This constant support helps create a stable foundation for residents to rebuild their lives.

Skill Development and Transition to Independence

The strategy highlights the importance of skill development to ensure long-term housing stability. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. offers various programs to help residents develop essential tenancy skills and prepare for a transition to more independent living arrangements, aligning with the City’s goal of fostering self-sufficiency among residents.

Innovation and Pilot Programs

The Housing for All strategy encourages innovative solutions and pilot programs to address homelessness. Somerset A.C.R.E.S. serves as a pilot project, testing new approaches and providing valuable insights that can inform and improve future housing initiatives within the city.

By incorporating these elements, the Somerset A.C.R.E.S. Project supports and enhances the City's commitment to providing comprehensive, sustainable housing solutions for all residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness.

Page last updated: 01 Aug 2024, 09:10 AM