Housing, Mobilization, and Engagement Research Lab

09/02/2026

Did you know there is so much disinformation around harm reduction? The two we hear most often are:

1) harm reduction is just about drugs: this is not true! Harm reduction is safe and new supplies, but it's also seatbelts, condoms, proper hand washing, taking a cab after a night out or finding/being a DD. It's using new needles and sterilized equipment at tattoo parlors, screening blood for illnesses before someone has a life saving blood transfusion, kids wearing helmets on their bikes, crossing guards on the way to schools...I could go on and on!

2) harm reduction keeps ppl addicted to drugs: nope! See above. Also, harm reduction is not anti-recovery. Harm reduction workers are often on someone's path to recovery, they are there when relapses unfortunately happen, they provide guidance and access to detox and treatment.

For anyone looking for harm reduction for the next few months: Avenue B is temporarily going mobile! Thanks for the hard work you do Avenue B! If you see them out, stop and ask them about harm reduction! They are awesome about chatting about what it is and isn't.

09/01/2026

We love the learning exchange! They noticed that their learners needed housing to support their journeys through education and they partnered with the TRC to make it happen. What's even more awesome: youth from the housing program are seamlessly supported in education when they are ready! It's unique and we would need to look at the most recent data, but I bet that this type of partnership emerges as a best practice soon!

08/19/2026

This morning HOME-RL attended an announcement for Jerome's Place, a 14 unit trauma informed design (TID) building for youth with histories of housing instability. We first learned of TID at the Urban Affairs Conference in 2022. Our team engaged with the Teen Resource Centre to explore how this may work for youth in Saint John and we were so honoured to stand alongside the community, government, TRC, SJLE, Housing Alternatives and the Unified Saint John Housing Co-op to hear the announcement of 4.4 million for this build!

If you'd like to read more about the initial plans for Jerome's Place and about TID, please see a book chapter that Julia and Cassandra, alongside community champion Erin MacKenney, wrote on it a few years back:

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003345725-37/haven-hell-julia-woodhall-melnik-cassandra-monette-erin-mackenney

A huge congratulations to the community and the youth who will benefit from this! UNB Saint John

08/07/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Emily Nombro is starting her PhD this fall. She will be staying with the lab part-time in a Research Assistant role. In honour of everything she has given to the many students who have crossed her path since she first started working with us in 2019, HOME-RL unveiled its Emily Nombro Alumni Wall.

Each line is a different student who completed a degree and works or worked at the lab. For the unveiling, we were joined by HOME-RL alumni, Kayla, Ashley Lynn, and little baby L! Our alumni have gone on to build great careers as social workers, non-profit leaders and staff, medicial professionals, research coordinators, clinical psychologists, lawyers and more...an amazing bunch! UNB Saint John

Also pictured is Yuzhi Yang who will also be starting a PhD this fall and recently defended his Masters. He has been with HOME-RL for at least 3 years and we are so proud of his achievements as well (we may need to name the data analysis computer after him!). He will also be staying with the lab for his PhD and will be studying housing affordability!

07/26/2026

We had a great time celebrating community with the Range Housing Co-op members and the SJ block party bus!

Did you know that co-op housing provides people with control and ownership of their own units? As a non-equity co-op, tenants at the Range are members who are given a vote on things that matter to them like rent increases, investments in improvements, new initiatives, and governance. This allows them to focus on community priorities while maintaining stable and affordable housing.

HOME-RL has collaborated with the Range to look at members' wants and needs as they grow as one of SJ's new (and largest) housing co-ops! Check out our website to see what we found.

07/25/2026

HOME-RL wishes everyone in Saint John an amazing pride! A reminder that 2SLGBTQAI+ folks, especially youth, face increased risk of housing insecurity. We need inclusive, non-discriminatory, welcoming housing spaces and policies.

Co-director Julia and her kids were happy to jump in the parade and march alongside the UNB alumni pride network!

07/23/2026

To our wonderful collaborators, community partners, and everyone interested in housing research, both Co-Directors, Tobin and Julia, will be stepping away from meetings and consultations throughout August.

While the lab remains open, we'll be spending the month preparing for the upcoming academic year and taking some well-earned time to recharge with our families before the fall semester begins.

If you'd like to schedule a meeting for September or have an urgent request during August, please email [email protected] for the quickest response.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We can't wait to reconnect with you in September! 🌞

07/12/2026

This week, our community in Saint John lost an amazing advocate, Nick Shepard, who tirelessly supported people in need of housing and his fellow frontline warriors. HOME-RL extends our condolences and wishes everyone comfort in their grief. From the few times we interacted with Nick, his concern, care and unwaivering commitment to his clients and upholding their rights was so apparent and always top of mind.

Nick leaves behind a young family and we encourage you to check out and share (and donate for those who can) to a go fund me campaign to support his family: https://gofund.me/497a9db8d.

We wish the Saint John community comfort in their grief and our hearts go out to the team at Fresh Start, Nick's family and all those who are hurting.

With heavy hearts, our family shares the unexpected and devastating loss of our brother, Nick Shepard. Ni… Jessica Shepard needs your support for Nick Shepard

06/30/2026

We have some news! Our Co-Director, Dr. Tobin LeBlanc Haley is starting in Political Science on the Fredericton Campus tomorrow. This opportunity allows her to reduce the frequency of her commuting to Saint John, a drive she has been making regularly for 4 years while raising a young family. Tobin will continue to Co-Direct the lab (bonus she will be our Fredericton satellite) and will, as she always has, come to Saint John to meet with community groups, students, and engage in evidence-based activism and research. We remain committed to striving for equity across New Brunswick, the Atlantic Region, Canada, and the world. Please join us in wishing Tobin congratulations and a smooth transition. Her contact information remains unchanged:)

06/28/2026

This Wednesday, HOME-RL celebrated the Greater Saint Community Foundation's 50th anniversary! The hospitality and program was excellent! We thank the Foundation for being a great partner to us and to many of the orgs that we are lucky to call partners around the region!