Halifax City Council Approves 9 New Homeless Encampment Sites In a groundbreaking move to address the growing homelessness crisis in Halifax, the City Council has unanimously approved the establishment of nine new homeless encampment sites. This decision marks a significant step towards providing safe, temporary shelter for individuals living on the streets. The new sites will be located in various neighborhoods throughout the city and will offer a range of services to support the individuals residing there. These services include access to washrooms, showers, laundry facilities, social work support, and healthcare. The decision to approve the sites came after extensive public consultations and collaboration with community organizations, service providers, and people with lived experience of homelessness. The need for these sites has become increasingly apparent in recent years, as the number of people living on the streets in Halifax has grown. “This is a historic day for Halifax,” said Mayor Mike Savage. “We are committed to creating a more equitable and compassionate city, and these new sites will provide a lifeline for some of our most vulnerable residents.” The sites will be managed by community organizations that have a proven track record of providing support to people experiencing homelessness. These organizations will work with residents to connect them with permanent housing and other necessary services. The establishment of these sites is part of a larger strategy by the City of Halifax to address homelessness. The strategy also includes investments in affordable housing, rental assistance programs, and mental health and addiction services. “We recognize that these sites are not a long-term solution to homelessness,” said Councillor Lindell Smith, the lead on the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee. “However, they provide a safe and stable environment for people while they work towards finding permanent housing.” The approval of these new homeless encampment sites represents a significant step forward in Halifax’s efforts to tackle homelessness. The sites will provide much-needed shelter and support for individuals living on the streets, and they will help to create a more compassionate and inclusive city for all.Halifax Designates New Homeless Encampment SitesHalifax Designates New Homeless Encampment Sites Halifax City Council has approved nine park locations as designated sites for homeless encampments to address overcrowding at existing sites and accommodate the growing number of rough sleepers in the city. Current Situation As of June 25, there were over 80 tents at designated homeless sites, which have a capacity of 30. Additionally, there were dozens of tents at undesignated urban areas, including Northbrook Park in Dartmouth and the former Halifax Memorial Library. Site Selection After exploring hundreds of parks, city staff proposed 10 locations that met criteria such as proximity to transit, amenities, and distance from sensitive areas. After debate, the council agreed on nine parks: * Windsor Street Park * BiHi Park * Chain Lake Park * Cogswell Park * Glebe Street Park * Halifax Common Berm * Geary Street Green Space * Bissett Road Park * Point Pleasant Park (potential second-round site) Rationale and Concerns The new sites aim to provide “pressure relief” for the overcrowded University Avenue site and remove encampments from non-designated sensitive areas. However, concerns were raised about potential impacts on park users, noise, and safety. Council members emphasized that the province bears the primary responsibility but that the city is stepping in to address the immediate need. Management and Support The new sites will provide access to municipal support such as water, portable toilets, and fencing. City staff and street navigators will be present to facilitate relocations and manage issues. Civilian-led teams with expertise in social work will also be involved. Future Plans City staff will monitor the new sites and report back to council in November. Provincial initiatives such as Pallet shelters and a tiny home community are expected to provide additional shelter options by then. However, the city acknowledges that addressing homelessness remains a long-term challenge that requires collaboration and sustained support.Halifax City Council has approved the creation of nine new homeless encampment sites across the city. The sites will be located in various neighborhoods, including: * Two sites in the north end * Two sites in the west end * Two sites in the central peninsula * Two sites in the east end * One site in Dartmouth Each site will be able to accommodate up to 10 tents, and will be staffed by outreach workers who will provide support services to the residents. The decision to create the new sites was made in response to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Halifax. According to the city’s most recent homeless count, there were over 600 people living on the streets in 2022. The new sites are expected to open in the coming months. The city is also working on a number of other initiatives to address homelessness, including: * Providing more affordable housing * Increasing access to mental health and addiction services * Creating more employment opportunities The city is committed to ending homelessness in Halifax, and the creation of these new encampment sites is an important step in that direction.