City of Voucher Campaign Provides Atlernative to Panhandling

Information Release
May 14, 2007

City Voucher Campaign Provides Alternative to Panhandling

Fredericton, NB – A new pilot project launched today will give panhandlers an opportunity to do odd jobs for downtown merchants in exchange for vouchers redeemable for food and other necessities from participating stores.

The City Voucher Campaign is an initiative of the Community Planning Group, an umbrella organization of 32 community service providers, government departments and community members whose goal is to address issues around homelessness and to improve the health and security of persons at risk because of homelessness or near homelessness.

“Creating connections between the disadvantaged, local businesses, street outreach workers and the Police assists in keeping the City of Fredericton a safe place to live and do business,” said Mayor Brad Woodside. “The best way we can help is to support the social agencies who care for those in need.”

The pilot project responds to concerns about active panhandlers interfering with the normal conduct of business, which were raised by downtown merchants in the past.

Referrals will come from the Street Outreach Workers, the City Police or downtown businesses. The merchants will be provided with vouchers to give to panhandlers for payment upon satisfactory completion of tasks assigned.

“The City Voucher Campaign is a social development approach to a societal issue,” said Suzanne Barry, Chair of the Community Planning Group. “This campaign will directly engage panhandlers and take them out of isolation by helping them develop relationships with downtown merchants.”

The funding for the project comes from donations provided by the Fredericton Community Foundation and Atlas Van Lines Canada. If the pilot is deemed successful, a strategy to secure more permanent funding for the program will be pursued.

The City Voucher Campaign builds on an initiative Downtown Fredericton Inc. (DFI) entitled Real Change Not Spare Change. The organization has produced a brochure which provides readers with a glimpse into the reasons why people end up panhandling and offers tips on how to respond when approached, including how to deal with overly aggressive panhandlers. It also provides a list and phone numbers of more than 20 community agencies that provide support and services to at-risk and low income citizens in the community.

Downtown Fredericton Inc. is a non-profit organization, which represents 650 business and property owners and other stakeholders.

“Our mission is to create and foster, on behalf of downtown business, an environment that attracts people to live, work, play, do business, invest and visit downtown Fredericton,” said DFI President Rob Jackson. “We are pleased to be a partner in this innovative community approach to the issue of panhandling.”

-30-

Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton (506) 460-2227.