Halifax says 100 people still sleeping outside days before Christmas
CBC
Halifax has appointed a staff person to co-ordinate with volunteers helping the 100 people still sleeping rough in the city, just days from Christmas.
An update from the Halifax Regional Municipality on Friday outlined the status of people in various designated sheltering sites, and how the city is supporting them.
Max Chauvin, Halifax's director of housing and homelessness, said Friday that the latest estimate of people sleeping outside is around 100. That's down from about 178 people from the last official count in July.
"I think people need to know that their neighbours are suffering and are struggling," Chauvin said Friday.
"The priority has to be moving people from tents into indoor locations … we just can't keep people sleeping outside. It's not safe and it's not dignified."
Although there's more work to do, Chauvin said seeing the drop in numbers of people sleeping rough is worth recognizing. He said the new provincial shelter at the former St. Paul Church on Windmill Road in Dartmouth for about 100 people has been "a huge win."
A spokesperson for Nova Scotia's Community Services Department said Friday that the number of people at the Windmill Road shelter can vary from day to day "but service providers and outreach teams work closely with people to find available options as needed."
"For these people, this group, we really helped them. Some of them are on a different path now, and that's great. And the next people, we just … try and continue to replicate that for everybody who needs help," Chauvin said.
As of Dec.12, there were more than 1,000 people on the by-list name in Halifax that includes anyone who is homeless. That list could include those couch surfing or sleeping in cars.
Chauvin said Halifax is in regular discussions with the province about finding additional indoor sheltering spaces this winter, but a location has not yet been confirmed. The province is responsible for housing and homelessness.
There has been such an outpouring of support from volunteer groups and citizens that the municipality has assigned a staff community developer from parks and recreation to help, Chauvin said.
She has extensive experience with the volunteer field, Chauvin said, and will provide connections and support between non-profit groups, the city, residents who want to help, and those dealing with homelessness.
"Ultimately those people want to see success," Chauvin said. "They want to see that their effort mattered, and let's find ways to help make sure that they can do that."
There are many organizations in the Halifax area working to support people who are homeless, and Chauvin said the province's list on the 211 website is a great place to start for donations or volunteering.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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