Fredericton City Council has offered the Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF) the temporary use of the former Wilmot Park Caretaker’s House to help settle Syrian refugees.
The two-bedroom house is directly across from the home base for resettlement services in the Fredericton area.
Mayor Brad Woodside says the city will provide a storage facility to act as a furniture donation depot.
“You really couldn’t ask for a better situation,” said Woodside. “The storage facility we’re offering for the year – the house has been empty for a while.”
Woodside says the house, located on Odell Avenue, will be used by MCAF to provide a first space for refugee families before resettling in their permanent homes.
“The neighborhood had expressed concerns about it being left vacant and it’s in the perfect location to help the MCAF,” said Woodside. “There is no cost to the city, except for a modest increase in the utility bill, so it’s something we could offer at a low cost while providing a big benefit to people in need.”
The city expects refugee families to be in the house five to seven days while MCAF makes arrangements to transition families into their future homes.
“We’re really very grateful to the city for making this house available to us,” said Lisa Bamford de Gante, executive director of MCAF. “The location is perfect and it’s an important contribution to help with the community’s resettlement efforts.”
“That will make a difference in helping them feel more comfortable.”
The city will also provide the MCAF with a storage facility in the Vanier Industrial Park, which will act as a depot for donated furniture.
