Halifax opens 2 new designated encampment sites

The Halifax Regional Municipality opened two new designated encampment sites on Monday, growing the total amount of official sites in the region to six.

According to a news release from the municipality, the new sites are located at Cogswell Park in Halifax and the Geary Street green space in Dartmouth, N.S. (which was previously a designated site bfore the municipality removed it from the list in February).

"We've re-designated it primarily to create a space for those people staying at North Brook Park, which is not a designated location," said Max Chauvin, housing and homelessness director for the municipality. "North Brook has a playground structure and a trail through it and it's quite narrow.

"Geary Street has been swept for needles and a lot of other debris you saw in there. There was some broken-down bicycles, there was an old barbecue; all of those things have been removed."

The release notes the municipality has explored other options such as privately-owned land and more spaces from the provincial and federal governments.

"With more people becoming homeless all the time, we need a continual supply of units coming from the province to meet the demand," said councillor Sam Austin. "Otherwise we slip back into a place of people living outside because they have no other option."

Halifax Regional Council approved nine potential designated locations earlier this month. The list included the Halifax Common and Point Pleasant Park, which drew criticism from Premier Tim Houston, calling the idea “completely nuts.”

"When I saw some of the sites that the (Halifax Regional Municipality) has designated, I almost fell off my chair," he said at the time.

The release says the municipality will inform the public if any potential sites are opened as designated encampment locations.

“As part of the planning required before opening any new designated location, risk assessments were completed by Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency and site preparation will be completed today at both locations,” the release says. “People sleeping rough at these locations will be offered supports, including portable toilets, waste collection, bottled water distribution and seasonal maintenance.”

The other current designated encampment locations are:

• Barrington Street
• Green Road Park
• Lower Flinn Park
• University Avenue

For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.