N.S. community services minister 'frustrated' with low turnout at $3M shelter
CTV
Nova Scotia’s community services minister voiced his government's frustrations with the lack of people using the new homeless shelter in Halifax.
The first night the province's $3 million emergency shelter was open in Halifax, half of the 50 beds were filled.
Night two saw 32 people show up, still leaving room for 18 more.
“I will say this has been a bit of a frustrating week in a sense,” said Nova Scotia’s Community Services Minister, Trevor Boudreau.
Boudreau blames the frustration on the fact people are still choosing to sleep in tents outdoors, rather than heading indoors to the newly opened shelter.
“We have a space that is available, we have capacity there right now, we know that being in a warm place, a safe place, it's a safer place than being outside in a tent where you’re in the elements or there’s risk of fire,” he added.
Of the 50 beds at the forum, 30 are reserved for people living in encampments at the ball field in Cobequid, and Grand Parade in downtown Halifax.
Housing advocates say the lack of privacy and safety concerns are keeping people away. Minister Boudreau says they’ve tried to address those issues with other shelters they’ve opened.
