Halifax south end homeless encampment now vacated after 3 told to leave

A de-designated encampment in Halifax is now vacant after municipal staff told three people to leave.

In a statement, the municipality says compliance staff engaged with the three people who stayed behind at the University Avenue encampment on Wednesday morning.

“As part of the municipality’s civilian-led approach, compliance staff communicated with individuals at the University Avenue green space, reminding them that they cannot remain in this de-designated location, to pack their belongings for transportation or storage and to vacate the site,” the statement read.

The city put out an updated statement Wednesday afternoon, saying as of 1 p.m., the location is now vacated. 

“With the location now vacated, municipal staff will assess the site to determine if any further efforts are required to bring this public space back to its intended purpose,” the statement read.

The city says over the past several weeks, staff have been working to provide support to the people at the site including transportation to indoor shelters and other housing options as well as temporarily storing belongings.

The University Avenue encampment was de-designated in September, with the city citing concerns about safety during winter snow-clearing operations. People sleeping rough there had been told to leave by Nov. 1.

When the site was de-designated there were about 35 people at the site.

According to the municipality, as of Nov. 28 there were 62 tents and three trailers in the five remaining designated encampments around the HRM.