Common questions

Common questions regarding municipal efforts to help address homelessness in the Halifax region

Page Contents (links):

Who is helping and how?

What options are being made available for those sleeping rough who require specific or significant supports?

The municipality is aware that not all people who are currently sleeping rough are able to go to a shelter for a variety of reasons.

Housing is a provincial responsibility. Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers.

The municipality will continue to treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity while working to find ways to best support them within its capacity and scope. This includes enhanced efforts on the ground, collaborating with Street Navigators, the province and its service providers to actively work with and offer supports to anyone experiencing homelessness in the Halifax region.

We recommend that you contact the province regarding supports for those who cannot move into an indoor shelter space.

Why is the goal to ensure people aren’t sheltering in tents?

The municipality does not support encampments or tenting for those experiencing homelessness. The use of designated locations is a temporary response to the homelessness crisis.

The municipality will continue to treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity while working to find ways to best support them within its capacity and scope. This includes enhanced efforts on the ground, collaborating with Street Navigators, the province and its service providers to actively work with and offer supports, including information about available resources, transportation of people and belongings, to anyone experiencing homelessness in the Halifax region. 

With the list of potential designated locations approved by Regional Council on July 9, the municipality is able to adjust to the changing levels of demand. If any sites are opened as designated locations, it would be a temporary measure until appropriate sheltering and housing options become available from the Province of Nova Scotia.

The municipality will also continue working with other orders of government, as well as through partnerships with community housing not-for-profits, on initiatives to support the creation of affordable and deeply affordable housing, such as the Affordable Housing Grant Program, the Rapid Housing Initiative and the Housing Accelerator Fund.

Indoor shelter spaces are a better option than sleeping rough. They provide access to a warm space with heat, electricity, running water, showers, laundry services, regular meals and a place to store belongings. From a public health and safety perspective, access to safe drinking water, sanitary services, and environments free of rodents, physical, biological and fire hazards is important. 

From the outset, the municipality has been clear that the creation of designated locations would be temporary. They were established to address an immediate need to ensure people had a location to go to if they had no other option but to sleep rough. 

As the Province of Nova Scotia and service providers create or identify adequate indoor sheltering and supportive housing options, we will all be working together to support residents in encampments to move indoors.

What is the current number of individuals on the ‘by name list’?

Maintained by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS), the ‘by name list’ is a comprehensive list of every person in the community experiencing homelessness. This includes situations such as people who are couch surfing, staying with a friend or family or sleeping rough (e.g. outdoors in a tent). The list is updated as people self-identify that they are experiencing homelessness. For a current count, please refer to the AHANS website.

How are the roles different for the municipality and the province in addressing the homelessness issue?

The Province of Nova Scotia is responsible to lead addressing homelessness in all of Nova Scotia’s municipalities and has the mandate to provide:

Public housing and programs for people with low to modest income; and
Affordable housing throughout the province, including housing options for those experiencing homelessness.

While the province has overall responsibility on initiatives to address homelessness, the Halifax Regional Municipality acknowledges it also has an important role to play – and is committed to work with government and community partners to apply resources to support efforts aimed at helping to address homelessness in the Halifax region.

As such, the municipality has developed and led a number to initiatives to support those who are experiencing homelessness.  These include:

Built modular units at two sites in Dartmouth and Halifax, with the capacity to house 64 individuals experiencing homelessness (26 in Dartmouth and 38 in Halifax. The province is providing wraparound services at these units through their service provider, Out of the Cold.
Created temporary designated outdoor sheltering locations in municipal parks for those experiencing homelessness when there were not enough emergency shelter spaces or housing options available. These locations offer services, such as portable toilets, garbage collection, and access to supports through municipal outreach staff and Street Navigators.
Approved $70,000 to a coalition of 11 community service providers for use as crisis funding for hotel stays to support individuals experiencing homelessness. In conjunction with service providers, the municipality has also directly covered the cost of hotel rooms for some individuals.

The municipality continues to provide the province access to select municipal facilities, which are used as temporary emergency shelters during severe weather events.

The municipality recognizes that there is a long-term need for more supportive and affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness and will continue to work together with the province on longer-term solutions. Recent efforts have included:

The Affordable Housing Grant Program, which focuses on deeply affordable housing. In the two years since its inception, we have supported 200 units, and an investment of $2M.
In October 2023, the municipality signed an agreement with the Government of Canada as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) for $79.3 million that will enable Halifax to remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate the growth of supply and support the development of complete, low-carbon and climate-resilient communities which are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse. In terms of supporting the creation of affordable housing, the HAF will enable an expansion of the Affordable Housing Grant program and establish a program to make surplus land available for affordable housing.
With support from all three levels of government, the Rapid Housing Initiative has supported the development of 177 residential homes, working in partnership with our community housing not-for-profits. This program targeted housing for groups who disproportionately face chronic housing challenges, including people who were homeless with addiction, mental health or chronic health issues, single women and children, and African Nova Scotians.
Worked with both levels of government to provide accommodations for up to 70 additional individuals in spring 2022, through the Rapid Housing Initiative.

The municipality remains in regular contact with provincial counterparts and community partner organizations to communicate available services to those experiencing homelessness.

Residents with questions related to provincial supports and services for those experiencing homelessness can contact 211 for more information.

How can residents help?

We've created a video explaining how residents can offer support to those experiencing homelessness. Click here to watch the video.

What is the role of a service provider?

We've created a video explaining what a service provider does. Click here to watch the video. 

What is the role of a Street Navigator?

We've created a video explaining what a Street Navigator does. Click here to watch the video.

What is a civilian-led response team and how can they help?

On June 4, 2024, Regional Council directed staff to proceed in developing civilian-led response teams (CLRTs) to provide supports to those experiencing homelessness in the Halifax region.

CLRTs will be teams of qualified, paid professionals made up of mental health specialists, social workers, by-law officers and peer support workers. These teams would be resourced to support those experiencing homelessness with primarily behavioral-related issues that traditionally receive a police-led response.

The goal is to provide additional support to those in the midst of a crisis, focusing on helping them address and resolve the situation. This type of support will mitigate many of the negative impacts of encampments for both those sleeping rough and communities they are in. This approach can also reduce criminalization. There are many models of this type of team across North America and the municipality intends to introduce this approach to our communities.

Current designated locations

What are designated locations?

Designated locations are spaces in some municipal parks and green spaces where people experiencing homelessness can camp for the purpose of sheltering.

By-Law P-600 – Respecting Municipal Parks states that the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation has the authority to grant permission for camping in municipal parks.

These designated locations are for use by those experiencing homelessness. They are not to be used for recreational camping.

Why does the municipality have designated locations?

Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers.

The municipality offers a number of supports to people sleeping rough at designated locations, including toilet facilities, access to potable water, garbage collection, and sharps collection.

Municipal staff continue to regularly visit designated locations to ensure the services are adequate and to mitigate issues where possible. Municipal staff will also continue coordinating with the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to the support they need.

Where are the current designated locations in the Halifax region?

The list of current designated locations for sleeping rough in the Halifax Regional Municipality is available on the Helping Address Homelessness webpage.

Housing is a provincial responsibility. Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers.

Does the municipality provide power to designated locations?

The municipality has provided power to the Barrington Street green space. Keeping in mind the temporary nature of designated locations, the municipality is not currently considering providing power to additional designated locations.

Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers.

Given the safety risks created by using fuel-based and other types of cooking appliances and heaters (during colder months), the municipality’s priority has been on supporting the Province of Nova Scotia in identifying and creating indoor sheltering and supportive housing options.

Providing these indoor options significantly reduces the critical fire and carbon monoxide dangers associated with sheltering in tents in addition to providing access to a dry space with electricity, running water, showers, laundry services, regular meals and a place to store belongings.

Considering the traffic on both sides of the space, is the University Avenue green space designated location safe?

Street Navigators and municipal Homelessness Coordinators regularly engage with those experiencing homelessness at all the designated locations. 

This location is currently over capacity. If other designated locations are opened, people sleeping rough at the University Avenue green space will be offered supports to relocate, including the transportation of people and belongings.

This green space is used for snow clearing activities during the winter season. This important work cannot be done safely while people are sleeping rough in this area. As winter approaches, staff will support people sleeping rough at this location to relocate to an indoor option, if available, or to another designated location that is better suited for winter use.

What is the municipality doing to promote fire safety in designated locations?

Municipal staff have developed educational material regarding fire safety for those sheltering outside. Municipal staff distribute a handout to those experiencing homelessness and signage is posted in designated locations as well as other locations where there are known encampments on municipal property.

Municipal staff regularly provide people sleeping rough with educational pamphlets about fire safety when sleeping rough.

How were these locations chosen?

Municipal staff assessed several municipal parks and green spaces against the criteria outlined below.

Locations cannot be:

within 50 metres of a school, daycare, or adult care facility
on active sports fields, dugouts, or bleachers
within horticultural displays or gardens
within cemeteries
within 50 metres of environmentally or culturally sensitive areas
blocking a path or right of access
on bridges, docks, or piers
within 50 metres of playgrounds, pools, or splash pads
within 50 metres of skateboard parks or sports courts
within 50 metres of picnic shelters, gazebos
within 50 metres of recreation facilities
in highly inaccessible spaces for individuals, services, and support providers

Once potential locations were identified, municipal staff considered the following when evaluating a proposed location: 

proximity or availability of public washrooms, park washrooms, or another toilet option
proximity to a potable water source for drinking and handwashing
proximity to public transit
proximity to services and supports
site safety
site privacy
site maintenance services (including vehicular access and garbage removal)
potential of damage to the site
risk of conflict with other users of space

Is accessibility a consideration when selecting designated locations?

Municipal staff recognize that there is significant portion of the homeless population with mobility challenges and accessibility was a key consideration when selecting the designated locations.

In addition to the criteria outlined in the June 14, 2022, report to Regional Council, another factor that was considered in the selection process was to look at locations that people experiencing homelessness have used before. This also included getting feedback from those who have been sleeping rough for some time.  Some tenting sites that met selection criteria are in a location that is not easily accessible; however, if it was a preferred location by people experiencing homelessness, these sites were included in the designated area. 

How many tents are permitted at each designated location?

The number of tents permitted at each location varies. The list of current designated locations for sleeping rough in the Halifax Regional Municipality is available on the Helping Address Homelessness webpage.

Housing is a provincial responsibility. Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers.

Are temporary shelters or similar structures (like sheds) allowed in designated locations?

The designated locations are only for tents, not structures like temporary shelters or sheds.

What will happen if a temporary shelter or similar structure is constructed at one of these designated locations?

Signage is installed at each of the designated locations to advise individuals on the guidelines for the location.

When a shelter is identified in a park, there is a reporting system in place for this information to be passed onto the municipality. 

If a temporary shelter is identified, the first step is to determine whether there is someone living in it.

If it is occupied, the municipality would aim to follow its typical procedure of first having an outreach worker or navigator visit the individual.  A compliance officer would also engage with individuals to ensure they are aware of the guidelines for staying at the designated location.

A reasonable amount of time will be given to the individual to move from the structure. which will be dependent on the individual’s circumstances and degree of health & safety concerns about the structure and its location. 

If the individual refuses to move from the structure, the compliance officer will provide them written notice.

If municipal staff feel a negotiated settlement is not possible, a response plan will be developed with the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. This response plan may include the assistance of Halifax Regional Police, as there is a violation of By-Law P-600 – Respecting Municipal Parks.

The municipal administration does not have authority to direct police-related operational matters. Police officers fulfill their obligation to enforce the law, under the direction and authority of the Chief of Police. 

If a shelter is not occupied, the owner, if known, will be asked to remove it. If not removed, the municipal may remove it.

What are the regulations for individuals sheltering in designated locations, and how are they enforced?

Individuals using designated locations are expected to follow the rules and regulations that apply to everyone, such as By-Law P-600 – Respecting Municipal Parks, By-Law N-200 – Respecting Noise, and By-Law O-109 – Respecting Open Air Burning.

Additionally, individuals are required to restrict the number of tents at each site to a maximum of four.

Compliance officers will regularly visit designated locations. During those visits they will confirm that residents are aware of the requirements of sheltering in that location. They will also ensure that people who are looking for assistance are contacted by Street Navigators, if that has not already been done.

If an individual is not following the rules of a location, the compliance officer will work with the individual to ensure they are aware of the associated regulations. After that, they may issue a formal notice, after discussing the matter with Parks & Recreation staff and compliance officers.  

Should they still not comply, the issue will be escalated for further response. This may include further attempts at negotiation and if all options are exhausted, and the status quo remains unacceptable, the issue may be referred to the Halifax Regional Police for action, as a last resort.

How can people who use the designated locations, or those who live around the locations, report issues?

Individuals can contact 311 to report issues at designated locations or to access further information.

Halifax Regional Police should be called for any illegal activity taking place at a designated location.

The municipal administration does not have authority to direct police-related operational matters. Police officers fulfill their obligation to enforce the law, under the direction and authority of the Chief of Police.

How is the municipality controlling the number of individuals at each designated location?

When more designated locations are available, the people currently sleeping rough in the existing designated locations will have the option to relocate to a newly designated location. Municipal Housing & Homelessness staff will continue to offer resources and supports, including transportation of people and their belongings.

By opening more designated locations, the capacity of each location can be better enforced. With fewer people in each designated location, providing consistent services, including garbage collection, is more manageable.

Compliance officers will regularly visit designated locations. During those visits they will confirm that residents are aware of the requirements of sheltering in that location, including the limit of the number of tents that can be accommodated. They will also ensure that people who are looking for assistance are contacted by Street Navigators, if that has not already been done.

If an individual is not following the rules of a location, the compliance officer may issue a formal notice, after discussing the matter with Parks & Recreation staff and compliance officers. 

Should they still not comply, the issue will be escalated for further response. This may include further attempts at negotiation and if all options are exhausted, and the status quo remains unacceptable, the issue may be referred to the Halifax Regional Police for action, as a last resort. 

What services are being provided at each designated location?

The municipality offers a number of supports to people sleeping rough at designated locations, including portable toilets, access to potable water, garbage collection and sharps collection.

Municipal staff continue to regularly visit designated locations to ensure the services are adequate and to mitigate issues where possible. Municipal staff will also continue coordinating with the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to the support they need.

How are individuals experiencing homelessness informed of where designated locations are?

Municipal staff have produced handouts outlining the designated locations and guidelines for staying at these locations, which have been provided to individuals experiencing homelessness. 

Each site also has signage outlining the different sites, guidelines for staying at these locations and supports available to individuals' experiencing homelessness.

What does the municipality intend to do about existing or new encampments at municipal parks that are not designated locations?

The municipality’s number one priority has been, and continues to be, treating those experiencing homelessness with dignity and continuing to find ways to provide support within our organization’s capacity and scope. 

The municipality is committed to working with people experiencing homelessness, volunteers, community partners, services providers and the Province of Nova Scotia to identify and implement housing solutions as well as create pathways into safe and supported space for those who are unhoused.

Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia.

The municipality offers a number of supports to people sleeping rough at designated locations, including portable toilets, access to potable water, garbage collection, and sharps collection.

Through the municipality’s partners at the Province of Nova Scotia and its service providers, individuals experiencing homelessness will continue to be offered assistance, including available options for temporary housing which can lead to permanent housing solutions. 

If there are no housing options for individuals located at these parks who are experiencing homelessness, or if these individuals do not or cannot accept the options provided, the municipality will work with service providers to support people moving to one of the designated locations.

What happens if an individual who's sheltering at a location in a municipal park (not identified as a designated location) refuses to move?

If it is reported that there are locations that are being used for sheltering that have not been designated, a service provider, such as a Street Navigator, will engage with individuals experiencing homelessness to identify options and resources that are available, if that has not already started. If an individual is sheltering in a location that is not a designated location, the Street Navigator will also help with relocating to a designated area.

If the individual refuses to move, compliance officers will then engage with the individual to inquire about their plans to relocate and Street Navigators will continue to offer support to the individual.

If the individual has not moved to a designated location, the compliance officer may issue a formal notice, after discussing the matter with Parks & Recreation staff and compliance officers.

There is no set timeline for this process, as each situation will be looked at on a case-by-case basis and a negotiated resolution will be attempted as much as possible.  However, if municipal staff feel a negotiated settlement is not possible, a response plan will be developed with the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. This response plan may include the assistance of Halifax Regional Police, as a last resort, as an individual camping in a location that is not a designated location is in violation of By-Law P-600 – Respecting Municipal Parks.

The municipal administration does not have authority to direct police-related operational matters. Police officers fulfill their obligation to enforce the law, under the direction and authority of the Chief of Police.

Why are all the designated locations in the urban core of the municipality?

Municipal staff assessed several locations across the municipality and based on the criteria listed above, recommended the designation of the existing locations. This recommendation was informed by historic use of some sites by those experiencing homeless and feedback from service providers about the need for proximity to services.

What is being done to clean up the parks where encampments have been located?

If a location where people have been sheltering has been confirmed as vacated, municipal staff will conduct an on-site inspection and determine what is required to clean up the site. The extent of work required will determine the time and cost associated with the restoration of these locations.

Potential designated locations

What is the list of potential designated locations?

On July 9, Regional Council approved the list of potential designated locations provided below. These locations can be opened as designated locations at the discretion of municipal staff.

Bayers Road Windsor Street Park (Halifax)
BiHi Park (Halifax)
Bisset Road (Dartmouth)
Chain Lake Park (Halifax)
Cogswell Park (Halifax)
Geary Street Green Space (Dartmouth)
Glebe Street Park (Halifax)
Halifax Common (berm) (Halifax)
Point Pleasant Park (Halifax)

The list of current designated locations for sleeping rough in the Halifax Regional Municipality is available on the Helping Address Homelessness webpage. If any of these sites are opened as designated locations, that information will be shared publicly, including the specific section or area permitted for sleeping rough. The list of current designated locations on the Helping Address Homelessness webpage will also be updated.

Housing is a provincial responsibility. Designated locations are a temporary response to the homelessness crisis in the Halifax region while people sleeping rough wait for appropriate supportive housing and indoor shelter options from the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers.

What is the municipality doing to promote fire safety in designated locations?

Municipal staff have developed educational material regarding fire safety for those sheltering outside. Municipal staff distribute a handout to those experiencing homelessness and signage is posted in designated locations as well as other locations where there are known encampments on municipal property.

Following the approval of this list of potential designated locations by Regional Council, more detailed site and risk assessments will take place with municipal staff from Housing & Homelessness, Parks & Recreation and Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE).

Municipal staff regularly provide people sleeping rough with educational pamphlets about fire safety when sleeping rough.

How is the municipality going to ensure that any new designated locations will receive the same level of support as the current designated locations?

The municipality offers a number of supports to people sleeping rough at designated locations, including toilet facilities, access to potable water, garbage collection, and sharps collection, this would include the cleanup of needles if any are present.

There will be a measured approach in opening new designated locations, as they will not all open at the same time. This will ensure a consistent level of support for those who have to use these locations.

Municipal staff continue to regularly visit designated locations to ensure the services are adequate and to mitigate issues where possible. Municipal staff will also continue coordinating with the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to the support they need.

How are existing and new designated locations going to be managed on a day-to-day basis? What additional services and supports will be present?

The municipality offers a number of supports to people sleeping rough at designated locations, including toilet facilities, access to potable water, garbage collection and sharps collection.

Municipal staff continue to regularly visit designated locations to ensure the services are adequate and to mitigate issues where possible. Municipal staff will also continue coordinating with the Province of Nova Scotia and their service providers to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to the support they need.

Municipal Housing & Homelessness staff are developing a managed encampment plan, which will offer enhanced supports to those sleeping rough in designated locations. More details on this initiative will be provided when they are available.

How will designated locations be prevented from exceeding their designated capacity?

Once more designated locations are available, the people currently sleeping rough in the existing designated locations will have the option to relocate to a newly designated location. Municipal Housing & Homelessness staff will continue to offer resources and supports, including transportation of people and their belongings.

By opening more designated locations, the capacity of each location can be better enforced. With fewer people in each designated location, providing consistent services, including garbage collection, is more manageable.

Municipal compliance officers regularly visit designated locations. During those visits they confirm that residents are aware of the requirements of sleeping rough in that location, including the limit to the number of tents that can be accommodated. They will also ensure that people who are looking for assistance are contacted by municipal Housing & Homelessness Coordinators, if that has not already been done.

De-designated locations

How will the municipality prevent people from setting up tents and sleeping rough in locations that have been de-designated, such as Grand Parade?

No one is permitted to set up a tent or encampment in these closed locations.

Following the closure and remediation of these previously designated locations, Victoria Park, Saunders Park and Grand Parade are also prohibited locations.

As these units are operated by the province, through Out of the Cold, they are best positioned to advise on how long they anticipate operating them.

Geary Street green space was de-designated in early 2024, but now it is on the list of potential designated locations. Is this location prohibited?

Geary Street green space was de-designated at the same time as Victoria Park, Saunders Park, & Grand Parade. Work was completed at this site following the de-designation to return it to its intended purpose for residents.

Per Regional Council, the Geary Street green space has been included on the list of potential designated locations.

Unless this location becomes a designated location, sleeping rough will not be permitted at the Geary Street green space. If this site becomes a designated location, it will be included in the list of current designated locations on the Helping address homelessness webpage.

Shelters & supportive housing options

How will the indoor shelter spaces and supportive housing spaces currently available address all those needing indoor options?

The province has assured us that there are now enough spaces available in indoor shelters and supportive housing options for everyone in the encampments that are being closed – approximately 55 people.  

To be clear, this capacity won’t address all the needs for those experiencing homelessness. Across the municipality, there are currently more than 1,100 people on the By Name List (all those experiencing homelessness, including those who are couch surfing, staying with a friend or sleeping rough) and approximately 100 people who are sleeping rough (e.g. outdoors in a tent). 

Is the municipality working with the province to open any other shelters in the near future?

The municipality remains committed to ensuring those sleeping rough are provided better alternatives, working toward having safer, long-term housing options for everyone who needs them.

The municipality supported the province through the provision of Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum to ensure that there was a better indoor option available to those sleeping rough this winter. This space was identified as an appropriate option for short-term use as a shelter. This facility will return to its intended use after August 31, 2024, ensuring that scheduled programming for residents will be re-established. The province and municipality are continuing to work together to find an alternative long-term option to ensure that the necessary shelter space is available.

The municipality remains committed to ensuring those sleeping rough are provided better alternatives, working toward having safer, long-term housing options for everyone who needs them. The municipality is also supporting the province in developing long-term housing solutions. 

The shared vision is that every resident of the Halifax Regional Municipality has a safe, supportive, and sustainable home and that all homes are purposely constructed for long-term human habitation, built to safety codes and standards, and in a suitable location based on access to transportation and amenities and municipal planning strategies. The municipality is committed to working with all orders of government, service providers and communities to realize this vision. 

How long will the Multi-Purpose Centre shelter space be open?

The Multi-Purpose Centre is being used as a temporary emergency shelter space from January 22 to August 31, 2024. More information can be found in the joint announcement from the province and municipality.

The facility will return to its intended use after August 31, 2024.

Why is the emergency shelter at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum closing in late summer when there will still be a need for indoor shelter space?

The municipality supported the province through the provision of Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum to ensure that there was a better indoor option available to those sleeping rough this winter. This space was identified as an appropriate option for short-term use as a shelter. This facility will return to its intended use after August 31, 2024, ensuring that scheduled programming for residents will be re-established. The province and municipality are continuing to work together to find an alternative long-term option to ensure that the necessary shelter space is available.

The municipality remains committed to ensuring those sleeping rough are provided better alternatives, working toward having safer, long-term housing options for everyone who needs them. The municipality is also supporting the province in developing long-term housing solutions.

If someone from any of the remaining designated locations shows up to the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum, will they be admitted? Are only those from the locations that are no longer designated locations being prioritized?

In general, yes. Thirty spaces at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum have been reserved for those from Geary Street green space in Dartmouth; Saunders Park, Victoria Park and Grand Parade in Halifax; and the Correctional Centre Park in Lower Sackville. However, staff will look to accommodate others, provided that space is available.

When is the Correctional Centre Park being handed over to the province for the tiny homes community?

Those sheltering at the Correctional Centre Park in Lower Sackville need to leave as soon as possible as the province and their contractor will begin moving heavy equipment onto the site and preparing the land, no later than early March, for the previously announced tiny home community.

The province has indicated that the project will begin March 1, 2024.

With the province’s announcements on January 10, 2024, about the Pallet™ village in Sackville at Beacon House and on June 4, 2024 about the Pallet™ village being built at 35 Atlantic St. in Dartmouth, who will be living in these and the other Pallet™ villages?

The Pallet™ shelter villages are for people experiencing homelessness. The province and its service provider are working with those experiencing homelessness to help determine who this type of support is most suited for, and who will find success in this type of space. It is likely that some of the residents for the Pallet™ shelters will come from existing indoor sheltering spaces. As they transition to Pallet™ shelters, spaces will open for those sleeping rough to move into an emergency indoor shelter space.

Are the Pallet™ shelters suitable for Nova Scotian winters?

Pallet™ has helped establish shelter villages in many areas across North America, including places with a similar climate to Nova Scotia, like Boston. They have been tested in extreme weather conditions. Each unit has climate control, making sure there is enough heat in the winter, and that they can stay cool in the summer.

What is the difference between Pallet™ shelters & tiny homes?

Pallet™ shelters are a rapid and scalable form of transitional shelters that provide those experiencing homelessness with the privacy and security of their own room with their own door. Each Pallet™ shelter is heated, insulated, includes a bed, a desk, storage space, lighting and safe access to electricity. These shelters can be a stepping stone toward long-term housing. Pallet™ is the brand name of the organization that makes these shelters. Pallet™ shelter villages have shared kitchen and bathroom spaces for community members to use.

Tiny homes are a longer-term housing solution with all of the amenities of a home, condensed into a smaller space. Tiny homes are heated, connected to services such as water, wastewater and power, and contain sleeping, cooking, and living spaces, as well as a bathroom with a shower. Unlike Pallet™ shelters, these tiny homes will be rented to residents. Rent will be geared to income, which means that rent will be no more than 30 per cent of a person’s income. Community residents will be selected by the province from the HRM By Name List and will receive the wraparound support they need to be successful in this type of housing.

Who is operating the Multi-Purpose Centre shelter space?

The province is operating the facility as a temporary emergency shelter with meals and wraparound services through 902 Man Up, a local service provider.

The municipality has provided the space at no cost to the province for this use.

What programming at the Multi-Purpose Centre is being impacted as a result of it being used as a temporary emergency shelter until August 31, 2024?

There are 16 events, both non-profit and for-profit, that were previously booked to use the Multi-Purpose Centre that will be impacted. The facility will return to its intended use after August 31, 2024.

Municipal staff are working with the Halifax Forum Community Association and the facility staff to inform the groups and individuals who had previously booked the Multi-Purpose Centre about the creation of this new shelter space, to address the impact of this change to their booking and discuss alternative options for their events.

What infrastructure has been installed inside and outside the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum?

The municipality is covering the cost to install a temporary shower trailer next to the Multi-Purpose Centre as the centre only has washroom facilities (sinks and toilets). The agreement between the municipality and the province does not include the use of areas in the Halifax Forum.

The municipality is also working with the province to look at options to create some privacy for those staying in the shelter, such as installing privacy curtains or walls between individual spaces.

Additional questions about the installation of any other infrastructure to support this shelter should be directed to the province as they are operating the facility as a temporary emergency shelter.

Are tents permitted inside the shelter at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum? If not, why?

Tents will not be allowed in the Multi-Purpose Centre at this time, consistent with the current provincial model for shelters. The municipality is working with the province to look at other options to create some privacy for those staying in the shelter, such as installing privacy curtains or walls between individual spaces.

Are tents permitted outside the shelter at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum/ in the parking lot? If not, why?

The current plan for the Multi-Purpose Centre is focused on creating an inside space where there is access to electricity, heat, running water, showers, laundry services and regular meals. Tents outside the facility are not planned at this time as it is anticipated that there will be enough space inside. 

Modular housing units

With the additional emergency shelter spaces and transitional & supportive housing that the province has opened, what is the long-term outlook for the municipal modular units? How long do you expect to be able to operate them? Are they still needed?

The Dartmouth site, located on Alderney Drive near Church Street, consists of four modular units, an accessible unit, and two support units. Occupancy permits were approved on Jan. 13, 2022, and the provincial service provider, Out of the Cold, facilitated placements of individuals on Jan. 16, 2022. This site currently can accommodate 26 individuals.

The Halifax site, located at the western portion of the Centennial Pool parking lots accessed from Cogswell Street, consists of six modular units and three support units. Occupancy permits were approved on April 14, 2022, for 36 rooms and for two barrier-free rooms and the commercial kitchen on May 3, 2022. Also run by Out of the Cold, this site can currently accommodate 38 individuals.

As these units are operated by the province, through Out of the Cold, they are best positioned to advise on how long they anticipate operating them.

What investment has been made by the municipality towards the modular units?

On Nov. 9, 2021, Regional Council approved allocating $3.2 million towards the purchase, installation, and maintenance of modular units at two sites to accommodate unhoused individuals (see staff report here). An additional $1.2 million was allocated on Jan. 11, 2022 (see staff report here), and a further $206,000 of unused educational funding was reallocated on March 1, 2022 (see staff report here). This is an addition to $500,000, which was allocated on Aug. 31, 2021 (see staff report here) for emergency accommodations.

What is the total cost of the modular units?

The total estimated cost for the modular units initiative is $4,364,000. This includes purchase and installation of the units.

What was the municipality’s role and the province’s role in this initiative?

While the province is responsible to lead addressing homelessness in all regions of the province, the municipality 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.

The municipality has provided the purchase, installation, and maintenance of these units, with a capacity for a total of 64 individuals experiencing homelessness. The municipality will also provide all typical municipal services, such as waste collection, and cover the cost of utilities and maintenance at these sites.

The province is responsible for determining placement of individuals and providing wrap-around services onsite through its service provider, Out of the Cold.

Long-term solutions

What is the municipality doing to support the creation of new long-term indoor shelter spaces?

Municipality issues Request for Expressions of Interest for Long-Term Shelter Options - March 15, 2024

In coordination with the Province of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking options through a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for a long-term indoor shelter space to provide overnight accommodations for approximately 100 people experiencing homelessness.

The municipality will assess and provide all viable responses that meet the criteria to the Province of Nova Scotia for consideration as a replacement site for the provincially funded shelter at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum. As previously stated, this facility is scheduled to return to its intended purpose for the community on August 31, 2024.

Those interested in responding to the RFEI are to contact the broker, Cushman & Wakefield Atlantic, with any inquiries at charding@cwatlantic.com or 902.414.7264.

The municipality continues to work with and listen to those experiencing homelessness to identify barriers for those who may not or cannot accept indoor sheltering options. These insights have helped inform considerations outlined in the RFEI for a potential long-term indoor shelter space. This information is also shared with the province to inform ways to address these barriers in existing provincially funded facilities.

The RFEI can be viewed here.

What is the municipality doing to support affordable housing?

As housing insecurity continues to be an issue in the region, all three levels of government play a role in the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing.

The municipality recognizes that there is a long-term need for more supportive and affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness and will continue to work together with the province on longer-term solutions. The municipality also acknowledges housing is a shared responsibility and issues surrounding affordable housing, and homelessness, cannot be solved by any single group or with any single solution. Recent efforts have included:

The Affordable Housing Grant Program, which focuses on deeply affordable housing. In the two years since its inception, we have supported 200 units, and an investment of $2M.
In October 2023, the municipality signed an agreement with the Government of Canada as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) for $79.3 million that will enable Halifax to remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate the growth of supply and support the development of complete, low-carbon and climate-resilient communities which are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse. In terms of supporting the creation of affordable housing, the HAF will enable an expansion of the Affordable Housing Grant program and establish a program to make surplus land available for affordable housing.
With support from all three levels of government, the Rapid Housing Initiative has supported the development of 177 residential homes, working in partnership with our community housing not-for-profits. This program targeted housing for groups who disproportionately face chronic housing challenges, including people who were homeless with addiction, mental health or chronic health issues, single women and children, and African Nova Scotians.
Worked with both levels of government to provide accommodations for up to 70 additional individuals in spring 2022, through the Rapid Housing Initiative.

As such, the municipality continues to work with community partners and other levels of government to expand initiatives to help address both affordable housing and homelessness.

For more information about municipal efforts so support affordable housing visit our webpage.

What is the protocol for helping people leave designated locations for shelter and, preferably, supportive housing?

The municipality remains committed to ensuring those sleeping rough are provided better alternatives, working toward having safer, long-term housing options for everyone who needs them. The municipality is also supporting the province in developing long-term housing solutions.

The municipality supported the province through the provision of Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum to ensure that there was a better indoor option available to those sleeping rough this winter. This space was identified as an appropriate option for short-term use as a shelter. The province and municipality are continuing to work together to find an alternative long-term option to ensure that the necessary shelter space is available.

The shared vision is that every resident of the Halifax Regional Municipality has a safe, supportive, and sustainable home and that all homes are purposely constructed for long-term human habitation, built to safety codes and standards, and in a suitable location based on access to transportation and amenities and municipal planning strategies. The municipality is committed to working with all orders of government, service providers and communities to realize this vision.

Cobequid Road (PDF)

Flinn/Barrington (PDF)

Green/Geary (PDF)