Saint John Safe Harbour braces for longer wait list

The Safe Harbour Youth Centre in Saint John is operating at full capacity and isnow bracing for a longer waitinglist as the cold weather approaches.

Safe Harbour houses 32 young men and womenand there are four people on the waiting list. The shelterhas been at capacity since it opened six months ago.

Most of the residents are still in high school.

The two-storey facility has 10 bedrooms, a living and dining room, kitchen, games room, library and quiet room.

"They haven't had somewhere safe to stay. Somewhere that they feel comfortable and safe and they're not always looking over their shoulder," said Lindsay Gallagher, the residential director of Safe Harbour.

Poverty and a lack of affordable housing has created a desperate situation, according to the Saint John Human Development Council.

"There are so many youth that need these services and just don't have the stability to be able to focus on their education, finish high school or pursue post-secondary," said Jenny O'Connell, thecommunity development co-ordinator with the council.