Media Releases

Town of Amherst welcomes emergency shelter funding announcement

The Town of Amherst is welcoming news the provincial government will fund an emergency shelter this winter.

“It is so pleasing to learn the Department of Community Services is providing financial support to our community shelter,” Mayor David Kogon said on behalf of the Amherst town council.

“This could we be a life-saving measure.”

The mayor’s comments came moments after the province announced it will provide $360,000 in funding for a new emergency shelter that will support people experiencing homelessness in Cumberland County this winter.

“This funding will help ensure those experiencing homelessness in Cumberland County have access to a warm place to sleep over the winter,” Tory Rushton, natural resources and renewables minister and Cumberland South MLA, said, as he announced the funding on behalf of Community Services Minister Karla MacFarlane.

“I’d like to thank the Mayor of Amherst, Mayor of Cumberland County and local community organizations and individuals for their unwavering support in making this shelter a reality.”

The shelter will be located at Crossroad Community Church, 155 Church St., Amherst. It will open in early December and operate as an evening and overnight shelter until April 30, 2023. It will provide 20 beds for all genders.

The Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, also known as Cornerstone, will provide support services and staffing at the shelter. Cornerstone is a non-profit volunteer organization working to establish a permanent transitional shelter and affordable housing in Amherst.