The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase in our community, caused by rapidly increasing housing costs.
In the upcoming federal budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland must focus on housing and ending homelessness, with a particular emphasis on providing direct financial support to those at greatest risk of losing their home or already experiencing homelessness, through a Homelessness Prevention & Housing Benefit.
Over the past decade, I have seen far too many of my friends in Fredericton die (35 in total) after years of rough sleeping. These are people who have been forgotten by our current system, who have been overlooked completely. They’ve been left to the struggle through the day against the elements, living with increasing hopelessness and the fear They do what they have to do to get by. They get looked down upon for existing; called down merely because they’re there.
It’s heartbreaking when those you love are trapped in this discouraging cycle and there isn’t anything you can do but love on them. They deserve to have somewhere a to call home, somewhere to just be, as they are. No matter how difficult or hard to get along with society labels them, they deserve somewhere safe to put down roots so that they can bloom, in whatever way they wish. That’s what a home is, that good soil that allows you to begin your growth journey.
We need to secure housing for the most overlooked in our homeless community, including those with drug addictions and mental health issues. No matter who you are, or what issues you may have, everyone deserves a safe space all their own so they can reach their maximum potential, however that may look for them.
Kari Hirst is a Fredericton-based street Mom with 23 years experience supporting and advocating for the local homeless community.