Death of homeless man devastates front-line workers who tried to help

With the number of homeless people growing, and temperatures plunging, the death of a man in downtown Moncton early Tuesday is being blamed on a lack of emergency shelter and support.

Debby Warren, executive director of Ensemble Moncton, said the man overdosed at the charity's overdose prevention site Monday afternoon. 

Staff revived him, but Warren was unable to find a bed for him that night. He was found dead hours later in the public bathroom outside city hall.

Warren started to cry when she thought back to that day and how, after 90 minutes on the phone trying to get help for the man, she was turned down. Her staff worried that if he was left outside in the cold, he would not survive the night.

"The individual was not in a good state health-wise, and my staff were extremely concerned," she said.

There are hundreds of people in the Moncton area who are homeless, and spend their nights trying to find shelter to stay warm. The emergency shelters in the city are full, and Warren said that despite her best efforts and a call to a government help line, she was unsuccessful.

In desperation, Warren tried the Department of Social Development's emergency phone line because in the past, the department has provided a hotel room. She was told by the person she spoke with that the "protocol" had recently changed, and this service was no longer possible.

"I explained to her the emergency and the health condition of this individual — that I was gravely concerned for his well being and she, unfortunately, was powerless to help me," Warren said.

CBC News has asked the Department of Social Development what its plan is for the coming winter with the shelters full, and the number of people living outside in Moncton in the hundreds. CBC also asked what the policy around emergency hotel rooms is, and whether it has changed.

Spokesperson Rebecca Howland said, "contracts still need to be completed and signed before details can be released" about the plan for the winter.

She did not answer the questions on the policy about emergency hotel rooms, or provide anyone for an interview.

"The Department of Social Development works on a case-by-case basis to provide support to New Brunswickers in desperate situations," Howland said in an email.

"Anyone who feels they are in a desperate situation is encouraged to call the main line for the Department of Social Development at 1-833-733-7835."

Warren said when the man left Ensemble on Monday evening, he was very weak, and walking and talking were difficult.