Funding for More Shelter Beds

The province is investing $350,000 to add 15 temporary shelter beds in partnership with the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax. The beds will be at the centre’s North Park shelter location until the end of 2021.

With this new funding, the shelter system will have its highest-ever capacity. During the initial waves of the pandemic, the provincial government funded 40 additional shelter beds.

“As the pandemic continues, we are committed to supporting Nova Scotians who need emergency housing,” said Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services. “And while COVID-19 has increased demand for shelter beds, we know people experiencing homelessness need permanent, supportive housing. We’re working diligently to help create more of those options.”

This is the first in a series of projects the Department of Community Services will announce in the coming days regarding the creation of permanent, supportive housing for Nova Scotians experiencing homelessness.

There has already been significant progress under the Integrated Action Plan to Address Homelessness, which was introduced in February 2020. From April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, 952 people were housed across Nova Scotia, compared to 567 in all of 2019-20.

Quotes:

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand the supports available to help our community. We look forward to the continued partnership with the province to support the most vulnerable in our community.”

– Pam Glode-Desrochers, executive director, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Quick Facts:

• in a nine-month period, the provincially funded housing locator in Halifax accessed more than 160 units to support families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• in the Halifax region over the past five months, 40 fewer (net) individuals identified as homeless and 102 individuals were housed
• as of May 11, there are 450 individuals identified as actively homeless in the Halifax region and seeking support, compared to 490 individuals on Dec. 8, 2020
• with this funding, the number of beds at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre has increased from 25 to 40
• there are currently 206 beds in the Halifax shelter system