10 Moncton residents homeless after eviction from unsafe rooming houses

Ten Moncton residents are without homes after they were evicted from rooming houses on Dominion Street that failed fire inspections.

Big Hearts Small City, an agency that tries to find homes forpeople who suddenly find themselves without a roof over their heads, is asking for help.

The challenge is to find affordable homes for the evicted people, who have little money, said Jason Surette, president of the local agency.

"All these people are currently on social assistance, all are making only $537 a month," he said. "So to find a room for them at $300 or $400 doesn't leave them much money to live on."

Big Hearts hasreceived calls from residents in the greater Moncton area who offered rooms for rent, but more help is needed.

Ideally, he wants to have homes for everyoneby the end of the week.

Hoping for small break

It would help if landlordsprovided a break on the first month's rent or more time to pay damage deposits, Surette said.

"Just to give them a hand up, not a handout," he said. "Because these people have been falling through the cracks for years."

Surette said poor people need protection from unsafe housing.

Big Hearts often hears from tenants who are afraid to lose their home or damage deposit if they complain about their living conditions.

Many lack access to a phone or the Internet, so they cannot apply for help online or call the provincial Office of the Rentalsman.

And they can't look for a better place to live because social assistance payments don't keep up with the rising cost of living, he said.

Worst off need most help

"You would think there is a lot of protection for these people but it seems to be the worst shape you are in, the less protection you have," Surette said.

The City of Moncton recently hired a consultant to look at available housing in the city, mainly to deal with a growing homelessness problem, he said.

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The city also wants to create a database of existing rooming houses.

"I know that's something that's on the horizon but it doesn't help the people that we deal with today," he said. "That's why we are hoping that people will help us."