New Halifax Shelter for Homeless Men

The Metro Turning Point Society will be building a new shelter to meet the needs of homeless men in the Halifax area.

"This is an investment in our community," Community Services Minister Francene Cosman said today in announcing funding to support the project. "We recognize the need to support the homeless and particularly now, when their current facility is inadequate."

The Metro Turning Point Society is a non-profit community agency that has worked with and provided services to the homeless for 30 years. The society provides overnight shelter, daytime support and trustee services to 50 homeless men on average each day.

"This project is an example of partnerships working together to build a better community," said Jack MacNeil, chair of the Metro Turning Point Society. "With this support, we can continue to make a real difference for homeless men in Halifax."

Halifax Regional Municipal Council has agreed to sell the society land for $1. The Department of Community Services has led a working group to secure other financial options. The Metro Turning Point Society will play a key role with its fund-raising efforts.

The new facility will provide space for a range of program activities, including supportive counselling, crisis intervention, a day service resource area, outreach street services, medication control, trustee money management, housing, health and legal support.

It is hoped that the new facility can be in place by April 1999. In the interim, department staff will work with the society to make the current facility as safe as possible for the winter, and to make other arrangements for clients as necessary.

The Department of Community Services covers 98 per cent of the society's operating costs, with an annual grant of $326,000.