Homelessness increasing 4% per month as HRM looks to create more encampment space

As warmer weather descends upon HRM and the number of people living rough in the city continues to grow, city staff are looking at opening additional designated encampment sites across the municipality.

The report prepared by HRM’s director of housing and homelessness says that the so-called by-name list indicates that there are currently 1,211 people experiencing homelessness within the municipality, and it continues to grow at a rate of about 4 percent per month.

City staff expect that rate to increase as we move into the summer months. With data suggesting that the city’s four designated tenting sites are already over-capacity, work should begin identifying new locations.

Earlier this year, HRM closed five sites, including the former correctional center park in Lower Sackville, Grand Parade, and Victoria Park, saying there were enough shelter spaces to accommodate everyone living on those sites.

According to the report, there are 46 tents on the four remaining sites, almost double the recommended number. The report says there are 20 tent sites in non-designated areas in the city, including Grafton Street Park, Chocolate Lake Park, Halifax Common, Point Pleasant Park and behind the Portland Street Superstore.

The staff report says 250 or more non-shelter temporary and longer-term housing options are coming, like pallet shelters and a mini home development in Lower Sackville. However, many of the projects will not be available in time to address the expected rise in people sleeping rough in the short term.

There will be an interim period of increased demand to support people sleeping rough until these units are ready.

The report does not detail any specific sites that are under consideration.