Halifax housing crunch: How charities are supporting homeless as winter nears
Global News
Nova Scotia-based charities that help unhoused populations say they're seeing growing demand as the weather cools, and the housing crunch isn't helping.
As the days get shorter, the nights are also getting cooler — a sure sign that winter is on the way, which poses many risks for unhoused Maritimers.
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission’s CEO, Michelle Porter, says while they’re trying to expand, they’re up against growing demand for their services.
“We’re very thankful that we have been able to have a men’s shelter, and we are expanding the beds there but I think everyone is in the same boat where we’re just looking for space for those that are unhoused,” she said.
The charity recently opened its ninth drop-in centre in Dartmouth last week, but Porter admits there’s room to grow.
“One of the things that Souls Harbour and other charities can do well is we’re scrappy. We’re used to working on a shoestring. We’re used to getting things together rather quickly,” she said.
Meanwhile, United Way Maritimes has three housing developments in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that are either in operation or underway.
That includes a tiny home village in Lower Sackville, N.S., where demand has been high.
“We have certainly heard from a lot of people saying, ‘This is a great option, I really wish I could have something like this,'” said Sarah White, spokesperson for United Way Maritimes.
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