Quinn House

A not-for-profit is preserving affordable housing for seniors in Saint Andrews.

Shiretown Community Services has purchased Quinn House, an apartment building on Queen Street, but they will continue to use the building for subsidized housing, according to a news release.

Chair John Matheson thanked the previous owners, the NB Masonic Housing and Charities organization, for their decades of service to the community.

“We’re honoured to continue the tradition of ensuring that seniors in our region have access to safe and affordable housing,” Matheson wrote in the news release.

The eight-unit apartment building was built in 1988 by Masonic Charities for widows of Masons, the release said.

But it later became a key place to live for low-income seniors.

Shiretown Community Services was founded in 2005 by members of the Anglican Parish of Saint Andrews. On top of their housing initiatives, they run a weekly community kitchen and a social program that gives people food-service training when they have other barriers to employment.

This past summer, they managed the canteen on Ministers Island as part of their “skills-building and community outreach efforts,” the release said.

President of NB Masonic Housing and Charities, Stephen Allen, said they sold the building to focus on other parts of their charitable mission.

He said they can move on knowing the building is in good hands.

“We commend Shiretown Community Services for their commitment to maintain affordable housing options in Saint Andrews,” said Stephen Allen.