Halifax working with remaining residents of University Ave. homeless encampment

The deadline for individuals to vacate a designated homeless encampment in downtown Halifax has passed, and the Halifax Regional Municipality is actively assisting the remaining few residents in finding alternative housing options.

The closure of the encampment, located on the grassy median of University Avenue, was initiated in September, with residents given until November 1 to relocate. As of Monday, approximately nine individuals were still residing in tents at the site.

Max Chauvin, the director of housing and homelessness for Halifax, confirmed that efforts are underway to work individually with these remaining individuals to identify suitable housing solutions. Chauvin emphasized the importance of finding options that align with each person’s specific needs and circumstances.

Originally designed to accommodate six tents, the encampment had swelled to house around 35 people, leading to overcrowding in the months leading up to its closure.

Municipal and provincial outreach teams are collaborating to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness and to explore tailored housing options for each individual. The municipality cited the need to close the encampment to shield residents from the heavy snow and ice removal equipment that would be operating in the area during the winter months.

Once all residents have vacated University Avenue, the city plans to conduct a cleanup operation to remove any remaining debris. However, there are currently no plans to install fencing or undertake extensive remediation efforts.

Chauvin acknowledged that the exact number of individuals living on the streets is uncertain but estimated it to be over 100 individuals dispersed across the five remaining designated sites and various nondesignated locations in the city. As of October 30, there were 1,335 individuals listed on the by-name registry tracking homelessness in Halifax.

While progress has been made in connecting individuals with housing options, Chauvin stressed that more work is needed, as new individuals are experiencing homelessness on a weekly basis. A significant portion of these individuals are facing homelessness due to an inability to afford rent, highlighting the ongoing income challenges in the region.

The province has introduced several new housing options, including the opening of approximately 60 Pallet shelters as temporary accommodations in HRM, with an additional 85 shelters currently under construction in Dartmouth and Clayton Park. Furthermore, a supportive housing community comprising tiny homes in Lower Sackville is set to unveil 30 of its 60 units in the near future, providing additional housing opportunities for individuals in need.