New BrunswickThe property was sold for $1 to Women in Transition House Inc., which already operates housing for women and children and a 24/7 crisis support line. Non-profit group says the expansion is needed because of an increase in violenceSam Farley · CBC News · Posted: Nov 11, 2025 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 28 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Elizabeth Fraser, president of Women in Transition Housing Inc., said the new shelter for women fleeing violence is desperately needed. (Sam Farley/CBC)Fredericton councillors have voted to give land to an non-profit organization in need of another shelter for women and children fleeing abuse. The property was sold for $1 to Women in Transition House Inc., which operates housing for women and children and a 24/7 crisis support line. “We’re desperate to get this new facility in place,” said president Elizabeth Fraser in an interview after the vote. She said a new shelter is crucial to both women and their children. “They need to be in a safe space where they can flourish, where they can go to school, where they can get the resources and support that they need.”Fraser said her group also helps women with tasks like getting a new bank account, renting a new apartment, or accessing therapy. Their existing facility can house about 19 women. “And so we offer shelter for women and children basically looking to restart their lives over again,” she said.The organization has noticed domestic and intimate partner violence is growing in both Fredericton and New Brunswick, “and it has many different faces.”“It can be physical, emotional, financial, spiritual…. Anyone can be affected by domestic and intimate partner violence,” said Fraser.She said the new facility will hopefully be built sometime in 2026.Fraser and city staff asked that the location of the future shelter not be disclosed, in order to protect the people who will be housed there. Documents tabled during the council meeting indicated the land is already zoned correctly, and that the city has previously donated land to other similar non-profits, such as Habitat for Humanity. Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Pike said the timing of the land donation was fitting because November is family violence prevention month.“Home should be a place of safety, care and connection. Yet for too many, it is not,” Pike said.“Together, we can prevent violence before it happens, strengthen services for those impacted, and create homes and communities where everyone can live free from fear and harm.”Fraser urged any women who need help to reach out to the organization.“We want to support you,” she said. ABOUT THE AUTHORSam Farley is a Fredericton-based reporter at CBC New Brunswick. Originally from Boston, he is a journalism graduate of the University of King’s College in Halifax. He can be reached at sam.farley@cbc.ca
Fredericton council donates land to home for women fleeing violence
