Council approves new framework to help homeless population

Province asked to fund half of the plan

CityNews Halifax Staff

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On Tuesday, February 21, Halifax City Council voted unanimously to adopt a new framework addressing homelessness. The plan includes setting up day shelters and adding more utilities to existing shelters. 

“The province isn’t doing enough,” said Shawn Cleary, councillor for district 9. “If we don’t do something while the province doesn’t do anything then we’re just standing by and watching the crisis.”

Housing has been under the province’s jurisdiction since HRM amalgamation in 1996. But Cleary, and many other councillors, say not nearly enough has been done.

“Given the state of it, and given the fact that various parties of the province have not invested in [housing and homelessness prevention] in decades, we’re in a situation where, unfortunately, the city has to do something.”

The city is asking the provincial government to help fund half of the framework. The city is planning to put forward close to $800,000 to adopt the framework.

This comes at a time when the city struggles to save $13 million on the upcoming budget.

The largest project named in the framework is the development of a drop-in centre, where people struggling with homelessness can come in the day to receive food, showers and several other supports and services.

Cleary says with this framework, the city is bracing for the lifting of the provincial rent cap.

“I think when or if the provincial government increases or lifts the cap there are more people who will be driven into outright homelessness,” said Cleary. The province plans on lifting the 2 per cent cap at the end of December, 2023.