The Fredericton Housing First Services team works collaboratively to provide individualized services to those experiencing homelessness in Fredericton. The team is comprised of a Program coordinator, a housing specialist, intensive case managers and peer support workers.
Program Coordinator
The program coordinator is the access point for Fredericton Housing First Services.
The program coordinator directly engages with visibly homeless people living in public places, the hidden homeless and those at risk of homelessness, regularly visits the Fredericton Homeless Shelters and the Community Kitchen. The coordinator accepts referrals from the faith community, the Department of Social Development, Horizon Health Network, other community partners and self-referrals.
The coordinator completes an intake and assessment for each referral and directs individuals to the appropriate member of the team. The program coordinator works with individuals requiring less intensive supports.
Housing Specialist
The housing specialist promotes consumer choice and the underlying values of Housing First by helping to locate, advocate for and secure the housing of individual’s choice either through the private rental market or social housing. They play a key role within the Housing First team. Working primarily with low and moderate needs individuals while also supporting the Program Coordinator and Intensive Case Management team.
The housing specialist assists with housing searches and placements for people experiencing homelessness. The housing specialist builds and maintains relationships with local landlords and acts as a liaison between renters and landlords. They provide education regarding rights and responsibilities of the tenant and landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Intensive Case Management
The Intensive Case Management team will provide one-on-one case management to clients using a recovery-oriented approach. Intensive Case Managers work with individuals with higher needs requiring longer-term supports to overcome chronic and episodic homelessness. Intensive Case Managers develop relationships and coordinate with other services to help people access needed services. The duration of the service is determined by the needs of the service user, with the end goal of transitioning to mainstream services as soon as appropriate. The Intensive Case Management follows a harm reduction model, encourages social and community integration and individualized, recovery-oriented and client driven supports.