‘People are freezing:’ Hotel-turned-homeless shelter with empty rooms under scrutiny
Global News
A number of unused rooms at Nova Scotia's largest shelter is raising concerns -- the outcome of a staffing shortage on the facility's health floor.
The Dartmouth, N.S. hotel-turned-homeless shelter known as ‘The Bridge’ has been operating for several months now — the largest facility of its kind in the province.
However, a staffing shortage on the designated health floor means some rooms remain empty.
“There is seven (clients) right now that live on the health floor, and what is a challenge right now is just finalizing the compliment of the staffing,” explained Nova Scotia Health (NSH) Community Transitions director Wendy McVeigh.
According to NSH, there is currently one client support worker (CSW) on the health floor working alongside continuing care assistants (CCA).
Five CSW’s are required to fill the 24/7 schedule for the floor to operate fully — meaning 21 out of the 28 rooms on the floor are currently unoccupied.
“Empty rooms going and people are freezing, I don’t understand this,” said Richard Young.
He’s been living in a tent at Grand Parade in front of City Hall and lives rough on the daily.
The thought of empty rooms that could otherwise provide shelter doesn’t make sense to Young.
