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.

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. 538 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.

Shelter villages are now open in Lower Sackville (19 units) and Dartmouth (41 units); two more sites -- one in Halifax (40 units) and one in Dartmouth (45 units) -- will open by the end of 2024. There are two shelter villages outside HRM -- one in Whitney Pier (35 units) and one in Kentville (20 units).

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 41
Dartmouth Atlantic Community Shelters Society 45
Halifax Atlantic Community Shelters Society 40
Kentville Open Arms 20
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 190 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. Supportive housing includes a variety of supports, depending on the model and clients needs, such as:

  • navigating housing (e.g. tools and skills to enter a lease, trustee services and financial help)
  • support services (e.g. life skills, parenting support, employment and food security)
  • health and wellness, including connections to other services in the community.

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 1,000 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 November 2022, government has helped create more than 676 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, non-profits and the private housing sector partnered to build a tiny home community in Lower Sackville for people experiencing homelessness.

This community has 60 units and will provide housing for up to 70 people. It was built on surplus land belonging to Halifax Regional Municipality. Construction started with site preparation in April 2024 and units started to arrive in August 2024. The community began welcoming its first residents with a phased approach starting in November 2024.

The project is a collaboration between the provincial and municipal governments, United Way Halifax, Atlantic Community Shelters Society, 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:

Homelessness supports news releases