‘A lot of Band-Aid solutions’: Advocates say unhoused in rural Nova Scotia need more help

The recent deaths of unhoused Nova Scotians has advocates calling for greater levels of support, especially for people dealing with homelessness in rural areas.

The sudden deaths of homeless people in Nova Scotia is highlighting the urgent need for action, especially in rural parts of the province, according to advocates who work with unhoused individuals.

Two unhoused men died in the Annapolis Valley in the past two weeks.

The Kentville Police Service issued a statement Thursday saying the body of a 52-year-old man was found Wednesday morning in a park known as Miner’s Marsh. Investigators do not suspect foul play, but the province’s medical examiner has been called in to determine the cause of death.

In Kentville, Coun. John Andrew said the man who died Wednesday was found in a tent, where had been living for some time.

Last week, the RCMP confirmed that on Nov. 26 a man was found dead outside an ice fishing tent where he lived in Windsor, N.S., about 40 kilometres east of Kentville. A memorial service for William (Billy) Walsh, who was in his mid-50s, is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Kimm Kent, the director of the POSSE Project, which does outreach and support for the most vulnerable, said the man’s death has hit the organization hard.

“I can tell you he was from this community, he was well loved, he was a regular here in our lives,” Kent said. “We had been supporting him for over a year and he was a friend and we miss him, and he deserved better than to die alone in a tent.”

Kent also said more needs to be done to support unhoused people in the community, whether through supportive housing or simply keeping accurate data on the number of unhoused people and deaths.