On Friday, the City of Saint John will proudly welcome the first residents to its newly established Neighbourly Homes community on Egbert Street, marking a transformative moment in the fight against homelessness. As part of the City’s Housing for All Strategy, this initiative brings dignity, safety, and support to those in need through the innovative Green Zone model.

Designated by Common Council earlier this year, Green Zones are city-owned properties that provide safe, transitional housing with essential wrap-around services. With this week’s milestone, the Egbert Street site becomes the first operational community within the Green Zone framework, proof that collaborative action leads to meaningful change.

Developed and operated by 12 Neighbours Inc., each Neighbourly Homes community offers courtyard-style housing with heated mini-units, shared facilities, on-site staffing, and access to critical services. The Egbert Street site features two courtyards and includes accessible units.

“Everyone deserves a warm, dry place to sleep, a locked door, and the peace of knowing they are safe,” said Mayor Donna Noade Reardon at today’s launch. “In Saint John, we’re showing up, standing together, and building a future where no one is left behind.”

Funding support for the initiative includes $3.5 million through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative, secured from federal and provincial partners. 

The Green Zone program prioritizes placement through the Coordinated Access System and Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), ensuring that those most in need are connected to secure housing.

The Thorne Avenue site, Saint John’s second Green Zone, is on track to welcome residents in late fall 2025.

For more information on the City’s Housing for All Strategy, visit Shape Your City Saint John.

Source City of Saint John