Homelessness on the rise in Halifax region as tents continue to pop up

Nova Scotia opposition leaders and HRM officials are calling for more provincial support to address the rising number of tents being set up by those experiencing homelessness.

An increase in tents popping up around the Halifax Regional Municipality is a visual representation of the homelessness crisis facing the region.

N.S. Community Services Minister Karla MacFarlane told media Thursday that homelessness numbers have been consistent over the last year, but summer is a time when the unhoused are most visible.

“I think that’s just sort of the natural evolution though, if we look at the time of year, we always see tents increase,” MacFarlane said. “I think that just a lot of individuals are looking for that outlet and freedom to be outside, much like ourselves.”

MacFarlane’s comments were “deeply disappointing” according to NDP opposition leader Claudia Chender, who says the list of homeless people in HRM has been steadily rising for years.

“We are calling on the government to take the housing crisis seriously,” Chender said. “To provide leadership, to join with other orders of government to meet the needs of the housing crisis, particularly for people in core housing need.”

N.S. Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said he thinks the Conservative government describing the situation as the ‘natural evolution’ is a “really abhorrent attitude to take.”

“Their lack of effort and execution on housing and on mental health and addiction support is contributing to the situation,” said Churchill. “And they just want to sweep it under the rug and say that it’s normal.”

According to the By Name List (BNL) for HRM, 625 people were actively homeless in June 2022.