Safe Harbour youth shelter closes in Saint John

Safe Harbour, Saint John's emergency and transitional housing facility for youth,closed its doors Fridaydue to a lack of funding.

It's a "tremendously difficult and very disturbing day for each and every one of us on the board of directors at Safe Harbour, as well as the residents, and the communityand the staff," treasurer and secretary Kit Hickey told CBC News.

Alternate housing for nineof the 10 residents has been found, said Hickey.The other youth opted out, she said.

Hickey is hopeful the closure pf the 10-bed facilitywill be temporary.

"What we need to see happen is confirmation of the operational budget," she said.

The board is prepared to "commit to the raising of 50 per centof the approximately $425,000 annual operating budget" and has requested the other half come fromthe provincial government, said Hickey.

Community fundraising continues

Meanwhile, community efforts tosee the shelter reopened in the near future continue.

A Save Safe HarbourGoFundMecampaign has raised nearly $2,300 so far, with donations ranging between $10 and $500.

A benefit show, featuring five bands, is also slated for Feb. 6 at 9 p.m.

About$550,000 is required to remove a constructionlien on the facility.

The provincial Regional Development Corporationrejected a request for a loan guarantee to gettheconstruction lien lifted and allow the board of directors to continue its fundraising efforts, saying there is no program available to support such arequest.

Safe Harbour gives youth aged 16 to 24a place tostayduring shortterm emergencies, or for up to six months, when needing time to transition to permanent housing.

Case managers also help youth access mental health and addictionscounselling, as well as educational and employment opportunities.

Hickey says about 55 youth have used Safe Harbour since it opened 10 months ago on the former site of St. James Anglican Church on Broad Street.