Halifax tent encampments prepare for influx of new and returning residents

With the summer season only a couple of months away, residents of tent encampments throughout the city have seen an increase in population. William Thompson has been a resident of the Geary Street encampment for a month but has been sleeping rough for the past year. “In the past week, we’ve had at least three,...

With the summer season only a couple of months away, residents of tent encampments throughout the city have seen an increase in population.

William Thompson has been a resident of the Geary Street encampment for a month but has been sleeping rough for the past year.

“In the past week, we’ve had at least three, maybe four people ask if they can come and stay,” Thompson said.

With the help of Thompson, other residents and donated materials, the Geary Street encampment has undergone significant cosmetic changes. He said their goal is to make the site look more presentable to the public, while fostering a greater sense of community.

“It’s hard to get out of bed when you live in chaos,” said Thompson. “We’ve taken it upon ourselves, to ask the town to bring in new garbage cans, some mulch – they’ve donated some wheelbarrows, some shovels some rakes. We will do the work if they’re willing to meet us halfway and bring us some materials.”

If members of the community want to pitch in or volunteer their time, Thompson said they’d be happy for the help.

“There’s probably going to be another 10 to 12 tents pitched within the next two to three weeks,” Thompson said.

According to long-time advocate for the unhoused, Matthew Grant, tent encampments are a terrible place to be, but he reckons they aren’t going away any time soon.