Emergency Overnight Winter Shelter to Open in Amherst

The Province will provide $360,000 in funding for a new emergency shelter serving Cumberland County this winter to support people experiencing homelessness.

The shelter at Crossroads Community Church in Amherst will open in early December and provide 20 beds for all genders. It will operate as an evening and overnight shelter until April 30.

The Province worked in partnership with local municipal governments and community organizations on the project.

“This funding will help ensure that those experiencing homelessness in Cumberland County have access to a warm place to sleep over the winter,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables and MLA for Cumberland South, on behalf of Community Services Minister Karla MacFarlane. “I’d like to thank the Mayor of Amherst, the Mayor of Cumberland County and local community organizations and individuals for their unwavering support in making this shelter a reality.”

Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, also known as Cornerstone, will provide support services and staffing at the shelter.

Quotes:

“It is so pleasing to learn that the Department of Community Services is providing financial support to our community shelter,” said David Kogon, Mayor of Amherst. “This could well be a life-saving measure.”

– David Kogon, Mayor, Town of Amherst

Quick Facts:

• the shelter will be located at 155 Church St., Amherst
• Cornerstone is a non-profit volunteer organization working to establish a permanent transitional shelter and affordable housing in Amherst

Additional Resources:

Mandate Letter of the Minister of Community Services: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DCS-OLA-SOW.pdf