New shelter to address growing homeless problem in Bridgewater

CITYnews halifax/ By Steve Gow

The Nova Scotia government is putting $2.2 million towards a new homeless shelter on the South Shore.

The funding will go towards a new shelter with 23 emergency beds and seven transitional housing units in Bridgewater.

According to a release from the province, the new shelter will offer continuous, on-site wraparound supports, including staff on location 24 hours a day, case management, connections to primary healthcare and mental health and addictions services, and support with income assistance, identification documents and housing applications.

“We know these supports are needed in our community and that to make a lasting difference they must be delivered in a co-ordinated, wraparound way,” says David Mitchell, Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater in a statement. “We are grateful to see this progress and look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of our entire community.”

The new shelter is expected to open in early June.

With files from The Canadian Press