Supports for people experiencing homelessness
Homelessness is a complex issue. The Government of Nova Scotia is working collaboratively with partners to provide housing and supports people experiencing homelessness need.
Find supports in your community – Call 211 to connect with services in your community if you’re experiencing or at risk of homelessness and looking for supports.
Government departments and offices (including Community Services, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Addictions and Mental Health, Service Nova Scotia and Justice) are working with community organizations, private organizations and all levels of government to provide supports for people experiencing homelessness.
Action on Homelessness in Nova Scotia (PDF)
Housing approach
People experiencing homelessness need a variety of supports. Some people need access to public or affordable housing. Others may require a supportive housing option with wraparound services and supports (like employment assistance and mental health and addictions care) to prepare them for more independent living.
Outreach and housing support workers work one-on-one with people experiencing homelessness to find the best option for their unique circumstances.
The Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency also provide programs and supports for community housing and affordable housing.
Shelter beds
Shelters provide a temporary option for people experiencing homelessness. About 500 shelter beds are available throughout the province. Since April 2022, government has added 195 shelter beds (some have been temporary beds for winter).
Learn more: Shelter Nova Scotia
Shelter villages
Shelter villages provide temporary housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness. They also provide case management (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) from a local service provider.
The government purchased 200 shelter units from Pallet (units will be organized into shelter villages). Service providers will operate the villages and be on site to provide wraparound services and supports to residents.
There’s a lot to consider in choosing an appropriate site for a shelter village. In addition to finding available and suitable land, shelter villages need to be relatively close to amenities, near transit routes and have the ability to be hooked up to power, water and sewer services.
Timelines and progress updates
Timelines are based on estimated project schedules and will change as projects progress.
| Community | Service provider | Number of units | Construction in Progress | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth | Atlantic Community Shelters Society (Quest) | 41 | ||
| Kentville | Open Arms | 20 | ||
| Halifax Regional Municipality | To be determined | 85 | ||
| Lower Sackville | Beacon House | 19 | ||
| Whitney Pier | New Dawn and the Ally Centre | 35 |
The Bridge
The Bridge is a transitional shelter (in Halifax Regional Municipality) that provides access to healthcare and other wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness. There's a clinic on site, and a dedicated floor for people leaving the hospital who don't have a place to go to recover.
Supportive housing
Supportive housing is a collection of housing options for people experiencing homelessness who have complex physical or mental health needs. Supportive housing provides programs and services to help people find and keep permanent housing. It combines rental or housing assistance with individual, flexible and voluntary support services.
People can stay in supportive housing units for a few months or as long as they need.
There are more than 800 supportive housing units in Nova Scotia.
Government is working with partners to create 1,085 new supportive housing units by 2027 to 2028 -- the first commitment of its kind in the province. Since Fall 2021, government has helped create more than 617 new supportive housing units.
The Overlook
The Overlook (in Halifax Regional Municipality) provides supportive housing units for people who have been unhoused for a long time.
Many people living in the Overlook also have complex health needs and require ongoing supports.
There are 60 permanent supportive housing units for people who are experiencing homelessness, with an additional 5 respite units for people leaving hospital who are experiencing homelessness and have substance use needs.
Tiny homes community
Government and the private housing sector are building a tiny home community in Lower Sackville for people experiencing homelessness.
This community will have 60 units, providing housing for up to 70 people. It will be built on surplus land belonging to Halifax Regional Municipality. Construction started with site preparation in April 2024 and units started to arrive on 28 August. The community should be ready for people to start moving in with a phased approach during fall 2024.
The project is a collaboration between the provincial and municipal governments, Shaw Group and Dexter Construction.
Wraparound supports
Wraparound supports are the professional and peer supports specific to the needs of a person.
Wraparound supports may include:
- mental and physical healthcare
- substance use treatment
- harm reduction support
- wellness checks
- legal and other navigation services (like helping those involved with corrections or justice system navigate their way through – getting to their meetings, helping with parole issues)
- trusteeship
- employment support
- financial support (for example, rent supplements and Income Assistance)
- life skills
News releases
Latest news releases and announcements: