Housing insecurity a growing problem in the Maritimes, and one that must be faced
The removal of homeless encampments across Halifax on Wednesday sparked major protests in the city, but it also sparked conversations about the bigger issue of homelessness.
At a food bank in Dartmouth, volunteers are doing what they can to help support people in the community.
"It's a challenging issue," explains Pastor Calvin Willis, who runs Fathers Love Sanctuary & Food Bank. "Talking to them today, one guy is a pensioner, he says imagine being a pensioner and I got to be a panhandler to survive."
Advocates say housing insecurity is a problem that's growing rapidly in our region, and for a number of reasons.
"We lack the political will to resource the solutions for being homeless," explains Ardath Whynacht of Halifax Mutual Aid. "We know that we have a housing crisis right now. We know that affordable housing is not something that we have in Nova Scotia. We do not have rent control. We know that social assistance rates are really low."
Housing rights advocate and consultant, Lisa Ryan, says there are other factors to consider.
"Cuts that have happened over the years to mental health services," Ryan said. "That has been detrimental to the increase of individuals who are now without the supports that they once had to deal with significant mental health issues."
Ryan says communities across the region are faced with similar challenges.
"When you're on social assistance in New Brunswick, you get $537 a month," she explains. "There are no units available within New Brunswick, anywhere, that is affordable to somebody who is receiving $537 a month."
The executive director of the Truro Homeless Outreach Society says this year's report revealed there's more than 53 individuals experiencing homelessness in Colchester County alone – but the society only has 13 emergency and transitional beds.
"When you have shelters in the city, and elsewhere in the province running at capacity, then migration within the province happens," explains executive director Krista McNair. "So we have folks coming to our shelter because it's full in Halifax, and known as the hub, stopping in Truro. So in the past year, I did stats for the past year, we had to turn away over 100 individuals."
Advocates say if Maritimers would like to help raise awareness for housing insecurity in the region, they're encouraged to contact all three levels of government in their community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.