More shelter beds are open in Moncton, according to the Department of Social Development.

There are now 319 shelter beds available and a 35-seat warming centre at the Bridge to Home Hub.

“We want to ensure anyone who needs access to a warm, safe place to sleep has that opportunity,” Social Development Minister Cindy Miles said in a news release on Monday.

“I want to thank our partners in this work for making this a reality and providing not only places to rest, but places to find support, compassion and community.”

A department spokesperson said a total of 145 beds were added across the city at the following locations:

• 65 beds at Bridge to Home Hub (total capacity 65, plus 30 recuperative beds)
• An additional 10 beds at Monarch Landing (60-bed capacity)
• An additional 20 beds at Harvest House (80-bed capacity)
• An additional 20 beds at House of Nazareth (84-bed capacity)

The hub on St. George Street facilitates access to the city’s four shelters and operates 24 hours a day year-round.

It offers drop-in services, as well as housing loss prevention and homelessness diversion services.

“We are happy to see these much-needed additional beds as well as the dedicated warming centre open for the winter months,” Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold said in the release.