Halifax council defeats mayor's ask to cut list of possible homeless sites

Halifax council will keep a list of possible sites to use for homeless encampments if needed, with some saying the new mayor's request to scrap the list was premature and "meaningless."

On Tuesday, Halifax council narrowly defeated a motion from Mayor Andy Fillmore to retract a list of nine possible sites and take away power from the chief administrative officer to open them as needed.

Fillmore had campaigned on not opening more sites and eventually phasing out the current ones. During the meeting, he said the encampments are not healthy for people in or around them, and the list wasn't needed because there are vacancies at indoor shelters and more options coming soon.

After the vote, Fillmore said he was disappointed because creating designated sites is only "undermining the work of the provincial government."

"I believe that the worst of the housing crisis in HRM is behind us, and it's only going to get better," Fillmore told reporters.

CAO Cathie O'Toole said Tuesday that over the next three months, the province expects to open the final 85 temporary Pallet shelters near Burnside and in Clayton Park, about 29 supportive tiny homes in Lower Sackville, and more than 20 other temporary housing units. She said a new winter shelter offering 50 beds is also being considered.

But multiple councillors said people sleeping rough often have complex health needs and might not be the right fit for those options. City staff have spoken about the need for a shelter in Halifax where people dealing with addictions can stay and be supported even if intoxicated.

"The way we get to no designated sites is there's enough space for everybody to meet their needs," said Coun. Sam Austin.

Two of the nine sites on the list, Dartmouth's Geary Street green space and Cogswell Park in Halifax, already opened this summer. 

Coun. Virginia Hinch, who represents Halifax Peninsula North, said she's heard concerns about possible criminal activity in Cogswell Park, and asked about safety issues there.

Coun. Trish Purdy said she's had neighbours of designated sites tell her they don't feel their concerns are heard by councillors or police.

"They feel like they have been ignored with the criminality, with the threats, with the filth," Purdy said.

Municipal staff said they are always in touch with police, and could consider adding a dedicated officer to a site if it's needed for the safety of people in or around an encampment.

O'Toole said if the list was removed, she would still come back to council with suggestions to open new locations if needed — and they would be the same sites on the list.