‘We have never seen this number before’: Truro grapples with growing homeless encampment
In the outskirts of Truro, N.S., a group of around 15 individuals have set up tents and an RV near the exit to Highway 102, seeking shelter under the overpass. These individuals, mostly men but also some women, range in age from 17 to 63. The common thread among them is their struggle to find and maintain stable housing.
Davy Rose, the outreach co-ordinator with Truro Housing Outreach Society, a non-profit organization that operates the town’s sole homeless shelter, has been monitoring the situation closely. According to Rose, there are currently 42 people living outdoors in and around the town, with that number steadily increasing. The local shelter, with a capacity for 25 individuals, is consistently at full occupancy.
This encampment near Highway 102 marks the first significant gathering of homeless individuals in the rural area. Mayor Christine Blair of the Municipality of the County of Colchester, which encompasses Truro, expressed concern over the encampment’s location on provincially-owned floodplain land. While the municipality has not designated a more suitable location for tenting, it has provided financial support to homeless-serving organizations.
Rose emphasized the challenges in securing permanent housing for the individuals in the encampment. The Truro Housing Outreach Society is working diligently to assist them with essential documentation, survival gear, and food. However, obstacles such as lack of supportive housing for those with mental health issues or recent releases from incarceration persist.
The Department of Community Services is aware of the encampment and contributes funding to support the outreach efforts. With over 7,000 individuals on the public housing waitlist as of October, finding housing remains a daunting task. Rose highlighted the barriers posed by low income assistance rates and rental subsidies.
In response to the growing crisis, a local resident formed the Meadow Dr. Homeless Encampment group on Facebook to coordinate support for the individuals in the encampment. The group provides meals, laundry services, donations, and transportation assistance. Mayor Cathy Hinton of Truro is working to convene a meeting with municipal leaders and organizations to address the housing crisis.
Hinton plans to advocate for a new warming center and push for the construction of affordable housing on vacant land in the town. Rose envisions the implementation of tiny homes in the area to provide a stable living environment for those in need. Collaborative efforts between community organizations and municipal leaders are underway to find long-term solutions to homelessness in Truro.
