HRM says it will not forcibly evict people from homeless encampments
Posted Jan 26, 2021 11:26:00 AM.
The city will not forcibly evict people living in homeless encampments as the municipality is looking to take an empathy-based human rights approach.
This comes after some residents raised concerns over temporary shelters in Dartmouth, calling for them to be demolished.
HRM released a statement on Monday, saying it will not force the eviction of residents from homeless encampments unless and until their need for adequate housing is met.
District 5 Councillor Sam Austin told NEWS 95.7 they are recognize the human dignity of people experiencing homelessness.
“We will no longer forcibly evict people because an encampment is not a home as it doesn't actually solve the real issue but the alternative of tearing down someone's only shelter is even worse,” said Austin.
Austin went on to comment on the installation of temporary shelters by Halifax Mutual Aid, one occupied and the other unoccupied.
“Allowing a third party, with no consultation with residents, with the city, with the homeless, to basically set up an informal village on municipal land doesn't make any sense either,” said Austin. “If the society is going to be distributing these, they should bring them to where the homeless are, not creating an articifical encampment.”
Austin says this is not a solution, adding they need help from the provincial government to create more spaces and fund social services to ensure people aren't living on the streets.
