Safe Harbour hasn't proven viability, Cathy Rogers says

New Brunswick's social development minister says the province hasn't turned its back on Safe Harbour. However, Cathy Rogers says the Saint John youth shelter has yet to prove it can run a viable operation.

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

Kit Hickey,secretary andtreasurer of Safe Harbour, said last month the board had no choice but to close after the provincial government rejected a request for a loan guarantee to covera capital shortfall of about $550,000 caused by last winter's harsh weather and contamination found on site.

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The government alsodenied a funding request of about $200,000 approximately half of the annual operating costs, said Hickey.

But in an interview Tuesday onInformation Morning Saint John, Rogers said the province provided a conditional approval for $150,000 in funding when the shelter was first announced, to help with capital costs.

Shelter operators still have to meet certain requirements in order to receive that money, she said.

"Part of the conditions for this were that they would provide us with a business plan to show it's financially viable and sustainable, and we are still waiting for the details on this," said Rogers.

"As you can appreciate, you're not going to do that in your own home, as well you're not going to purchase or invest in a major expenditure if you don't have a plan for how you're going to pay for it."

Rogers says the department was assured about fundraising efforts andfunding partners being at the table, but "never anything in writing" involving the estimated expenses of the shelter, and a clear plan for how it wouldgenerate revenues.

"We were told about a couple of them verbally and what we've been told about doesn't even come close to what would meet the expenditures they are itemizing," said Rogers.

"We have reached out proactively to the groups, in fact we met with them twice since the conditional offer, and we reminded them what it is we're waiting for.

"Many of the conditions have been met but we're still waiting. With their total forecast of about $440,000 in operational costs per year, we need to know there is a plan for this model," she said.

Social workers worked with the 10 Safe Harbour residents to find them alternate housing following the facility's closure.

Rogers says "this is not a closed situation," and department officials have scheduled a meeting with Safe Harbour operators for Wednesday.

They have previously offered to work on a business plan with administrators, she said.

"There is a need here, we know there is a requirement for transitional housing services for youth," she said.

"We're very happy when community groups come together with a shared passion and interest to play a role in taking care of vulnerable people. And I'm looking forward to working with them."

Looking for clarification

Reached on Tuesday, Hickey said the board was looking for clarification from the Department of Social Development.

While no formal business plan was submitted to the department, Hickey said information was included in its funding requestin April, whichunderlined the various sources of operational funding.

That submission received no response, she said.

"This is the first I have heard that we have not submitted a request for operational funding," said Hickey."We're really hoping we will have clarification on this soon."

Hickey said she sent off additional information to department officials after hearing Rogers remarks on Tuesday.

"We submitted the request," she said.

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.

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.