Posted:
Notification
This morning, the Halifax Regional Municipality took steps to remove tents located on the Halifax Common. Over the last several months, people experiencing homelessness have been sheltering at this site, which is not a designated location.
On March 3, the municipality issued notices to vacate to approximately eight people who were sheltering on the Halifax Common, allowing them until March 16 to relocate.
Currently, there are several available spots within multiple indoor shelters, temporary housing and if necessary, the municipality’s outdoor designated locations on the Halifax peninsula, including Cogswell Park and the Barrington Street green space and in Dartmouth at the Geary Street green space. As a result, the municipality has directed that people sheltering on the Halifax Common to vacate this location.
Over the past two weeks, the municipality has taken a number of steps to provide support to those who had been sleeping rough at this site. Municipal compliance staff and housing and homelessness coordinators have visited multiple times to offer supports and resources. This includes transportation of people and their belongings to provincially funded indoor shelters and housing options, or if necessary, to other municipal designated locations that are available, as well as temporary storage of belongings.
As of 9 a.m., there were four tents at this site. As part of the municipality’s civilian-led approach, compliance staff visited all four tents this morning, confirmed that no one was sheltering in them and staff are in the process of cleaning up the area. This site is now a prohibited location for sheltering.
Supporting people sleeping rough in designated locations
As of March 14, municipal housing and homelessness staff determined that there were 30 tents and five trailers in the five designated locations. The municipality will continue to engage with individuals to identify what supports and resources are available to them. 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 remains committed to ensuring those sleeping rough are provided with better alternatives, working toward having safer, long-term housing options for everyone who needs them.
Indoor shelter and housing options
Provincial service providers continue to work with those sleeping rough to determine which provincial indoor shelter or housing options are appropriate for them.
The Province of Nova Scotia has provided funding and other supports to a number of indoor shelters and housing options. More information on these options is available on the provincial webpage here.
For more information about ongoing efforts by the municipality to help address homelessness in our region, visit: halifax.ca/addressinghomelessness.
Updates on the status of the Halifax Common will continue to be provided as needed.