Helping address homelessness

The Halifax Regional Municipality recognizes that all residents deserve a home. 

It has adopted an empathy-based approach to homelessness and homeless encampments that recognizes the human dignity of people experiencing homelessness.

As housing insecurity continues to be an issue in the region, work with community partners and other levels of government has significantly accelerated, and collaboration has expanded to help address both affordable housing and homelessness.

The Province of Nova Scotia has the mandate to provide public housing and programs for people with low to moderate incomes and maintain and build affordable housing throughout the province, including housing options for those experiencing homelessness. Residents with questions related to provincial supports and services for those experiencing homelessness can call 211 for more information.

While the province is responsible to lead addressing homelessness in all of Nova Scotia’s municipalities, the Halifax Regional Municipality also has an important role to play – and is committed to applying resources to support efforts aimed at helping to address homelessness in the Halifax region. 

Click here for more information on recent and ongoing efforts.

Investing in emergency accommodations

The municipality recognizes the urgent and serious challenges being faced by those experiencing homelessness. Treating people with dignity, while working to find ways to best support them within our capacity and scope as a municipality, is a top priority.

On Nov. 9. 2021, Regional Council approved allocating $3.2 million dollars towards the purchase, installation and maintenance of modular units, at two sites, to accommodate unhoused individuals in our region  (see report here). This is in addition to the $500,000 approved by Regional Council for emergency accommodations during the Aug. 31 meeting (see report here).

The municipality will purchase the units and provide all typical municipal services, such as garbage pick-up, as well as cover the cost of utilities and maintenance on site. The estimated costs to purchase, install and maintain the modular units for the remainder of this year is $1,410,000 with operating costs of $20,000 for the Dartmouth site, and $1,690,000 with operating costs of $20,000 for the Halifax site.

The Dartmouth site will be on Alderney Drive, near Church Street (see map below). Four modular units, an accessible unit and two support units, for a total seven (7) units will be installed at this location. Based on single occupancy, this site will be able to accommodate 26 individuals.

The Halifax site will be located on a portion of the parking area of the Centennial Pool (see map below). Six modular units, an accessible unit and a number of support units, for a total of nine (9) units, will be installed at this location. Based on single occupancy, this site will be able to accommodate 38 individuals.

The Province of Nova Scotia announced it is providing about $2.7 million to Out of the Cold Community Association to deliver wraparound, supportive housing services to the individuals moving from Gray Arena to the Dartmouth site. Occupants of Gray Arena will not be asked to vacate until alternate accommodations have been offered.

Due to a number of factors outside the municipality’s control – including weather, unforeseen site conditions associated with unsuitable soils, and ongoing supply chain issues regarding the securing of electrical equipment – completion of municipal work to make the Dartmouth site ready for occupancy is expected to be delayed until the first week of January 2022.

The timeline for the installation of the modular units at the Halifax site will become clearer as we complete the Dartmouth site. Exact timing for occupancy is dependent upon the province, which is responsible for placing individuals in the modular units and providing wrap-around services through its service provider.

While the province is responsible to lead addressing homelessness in all regions of the province, the municipality also has an important role to play – and is committed to applying resources to support efforts aimed at helping to address homelessness in the Halifax region.

Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, the municipality is also working with both levels of government to provide accommodations for up to 70 additional individuals in early 2022.

Click here for more information on recent and ongoing efforts.

Modular units Halifax site

Halifax modular unit site

Dartmouth modular unit site

Dartmouth modular unit site

Investing in support roles

To assist in responding to homelessness issues, Regional Council approved a Social Policy Strategist position in the 2021/22 budget which has been filled. This position will act as the main contact for community stakeholders and service providers and will coordinate development of homelessness plans and strategies for the municipality.

In addition, a full-time Housing and Homelessness Coordinator has recently been hired on a 12- month term. This position will conduct outreach work to support, and help house, those experiencing homelessness, in coordination with community service providers.

Assistant Chief of Emergency Management, Erica Fleck, has completed her three-month assignment – which began in September 2021 – to lead the urgent operational efforts to advance Council’s directive regarding emergency housing measures.

Updates, statements and notices

More information