Donations to Halifax tent encampment could result in a public health concern, says those living there
The tent encampment on University Avenue in Halifax has grown over the past few months and while community members have donated food to the people living there, their efforts have brought some concern.
“There have been instances where people have pulled up and just dropped off the food on a picnic table or a bench and the people don't even know it's there. Sometimes it's just left out in the sun and no one touches it,” said Max Chauvin, Halifax Regional Municipality's director of Housing and Homelessness.
This can result in an increase in the number of birds and rodents in the area, which can become a public health concern.
Samantha Nickerson and her partner Trent Smith, live in the encampment on University Avenue. They said people have often left food without letting those living in the area know. They worry this will create problems with unwanted pests at the encampment.
“The last thing we want is other rats and rodents around because then the bylaw will shut us down and then we'll have nowhere to go,” said Nickerson.
This image was taken at the tent encampment on University Avenue in Halifax on May 23, 2024.
This has happened before. It is one of the reasons the city closed the Victoria Park encampment.
“You would find people who would tell you that their toes were bitten by rats at night, or they would wake up and find rats in their tents and their belongings and items were chewed on,” said Chauvin.
He said exterminators have been called to the University Avenue encampment a few times already, however, the city says it is not considered a public health concern yet.
The city suggests people who want to help should ask those living at encampments what they need.
“They don’t have anywhere to store it or heat it and some even have severe allergies to things,” said Chauvin.
Nickerson said she and Trent rely on food donations and do not want them to stop either.
“It’s beneficial for most of us because it means we aren’t going two or three days without having to get something to eat. There could be a stereotype which makes people nervous but they should just come over and talk to us.”
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6928617.1718492429!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Ottawa Food Bank receives largest donation in its 40-year history
210,000 pounds of food was delivered to the Ottawa Food Bank on Saturday, the largest donation in its 40-year history.
Your father’s diet before you were born could have affected your health, a new study suggests
Your father's diet before you were born could have played a role in your health, a new study has found.
Less than 10 per cent of homeless shelters N.S. promised last year currently in place
Nova Scotia has installed fewer than 10 per cent of the 200 shelters it promised to set up for the province's homeless residents more than eight months after first making the pledge.
Prince William shares childhood photo of him and King Charles III for Father's Day
Prince William on Sunday shared a photograph showing him as a child with his father, King Charles III, to mark Father’s Day in the United Kingdom this year.
80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace
Eighty countries called Sunday for the 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia's two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in and the way forward for diplomacy remains unclear.
Clooney and Roberts help Biden raise US$30 million-plus at a star-studded Hollywood gala
Some of Hollywood's brightest stars headlined a fundraiser for U.S. President Joe Biden that took in a record US$30 million-plus for a Democratic candidate, according to his campaign, in hopes of energizing would-be supporters for a White House contest they said may rank among the most consequential in U.S. history.
No injuries reported after camper engulfed in flames in parking garage: Regina fire
A fire in an underground parking facility in Regina led to no injuries, according to the city's fire department.
York Region confirms first 2024 case of rabies after infected bat found in Whitchurch-Stouffville
York Region is reporting its first case of rabies for 2024.
Trump blasts immigrants for taking jobs as he courts voters at a Black church, MAGA event in Detroit
Donald Trump blamed immigrants for stealing jobs and government resources as he courted separate groups of Black voters and hardcore conservatives in battleground Michigan on Saturday.