News

SAINT JOHN, N.B. – Monday, August 31 – United Way Maritimes has selected 12 Neighbours to deliver wraparound supports and Housing Alternatives to provide property maintenance at the Sunnyside Community, an innovative, 70-unit permanent supportive housing initiative in Saint John, NB, designed to provide safe, affordable homes for people experiencing homelessness with the supports and connections residents need to move forward.

"Providing a safe, affordable place to live is foundational, but we know that housing alone doesn’t address all of the barriers people may be facing," said Sue LaPierre, VP Housing for United Way Maritimes. "The supports available at Sunnyside will be shaped around residents and their individual needs, while connecting them to the broader community. We’re excited to welcome 12 Neighbours and Housing Alternatives as partners in bringing our vision for this community to life."

Through this partnership, 12 Neighbours will provide 24/7 on-site support to residents, selected through the Saint John's Coordinated Access System who have been experiencing homelessness. 12 Neighbours brings a strong track record to this work, including the development of 96 permanent homes in Fredericton and the operation of 24/7 staffed communities in Saint John, all focused on dignity, autonomy, and building community for residents.

The wraparound support model recognizes that people’s needs, circumstances, and goals are different. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, residents will be able to access voluntary supports and connections that can help with areas such as employment, education, health and wellness, financial stability, life skills, and community connections.

"We wanted to be part of Sunnyside because United Way Maritimes and 12 Neighbours share a deep belief in pairing housing with the relationships, supports, and sense of community that help people thrive," said Marcel LeBrun, Founder of 12 Neighbours. "We’re already deeply committed to Saint John, where we operate transitional supportive housing, and adding permanent supportive housing is an exciting next step. We believe it can make a real difference in the city. United Way Maritimes is an exciting organization to partner with in doing that work, and we look forward to building a community with residents that is grounded in dignity, choice, belonging, and opportunity."

"Housing Alternatives is pleased to bring our experience in asset management and maintenance to support a safe, well-maintained and welcoming environment for residents," said Dustin Leclerc, CEO at Housing Alternatives. "We are committed to supporting our affordable housing sector and proud to contribute our expertise to support the long-term operation of Sunnyside."

Sunnyside reflects United Way Maritimes’ commitment to pursuing long-term solutions to poverty by bringing together partners, resources, and expertise in ways that create lasting local impact. Under its 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, United Way Maritimes has committed to helping create 500 homes across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island by 2031, to help ensure people have support, opportunity, and a place to belong.

"Projects like Sunnyside demonstrate what becomes possible when we look beyond any one issue or organization and work together," said Alexya Heelis, VP Community Relations at United Way Maritimes. "Our goal is not simply to create housing. It is to create the conditions for people to build stability, pursue their goals and feel connected to the community around them."

About United Way Maritimes

United Way Maritimes intentionally brings people together to take bold action on poverty and build stronger, more hopeful communities across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Through strategic investment, partnerships, and community leadership, United Way Maritimes works to address immediate needs while advancing long-term solutions to the root causes of poverty. For more information visit https://www.unitedwaymaritimes.ca/.

About 12 Neighbours

12 Neighbours is a New Brunswick-based charitable organization dedicated to creating pathways to independence through housing, recovery and development supports, and purposeful employment opportunities. Through a Housing First approach, 12 Neighbours provides dignified housing within a supportive community while helping participants access counselling, education, health services, skill development, social enterprise employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, and other resources that support long-term stability and personal growth. For more information visit https://www.12neighbours.com/.

About Housing Alternatives Inc.

For more than four decades, Housing Alternatives has been a cornerstone in the Saint John Region, helping residents access more than just affordable housing — we’ve been creating opportunities for stability, connection, and growth. Through our cooperative and nonprofit housing models, we’ve built a strong network of solutions designed to support individuals and families who might otherwise struggle to find a secure place to call home. At the heart of our work is a simple belief: when people have stable housing, entire communities. For more information visit https://www.housingalternatives.ca/.

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Media contact:

Elizabeth Engram
Communications Manager
(902) 616-1919
elizabeth.engram@unitedwaymaritimes.ca