HRM now at 1,068 facing homelessness, province says
The province gave updates on the efforts it is making to create more affordable housing in Nova Scotia. The Standing Committee on Human Resources met on Tuesday afternoon.
1,068 people are experiencing homelessness in HRM, says Michael Kabalen, executive director of the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia. Of those, 765 have been homeless for six months or more, he added.
In October 2019, the number of people experiencing homelessness was 209.
The province released their five-year housing plan in October that projected a $1 billion investment into creating more housing.
The Affordable Housing Development Program created 308 new units last year, of which 225 were affordable housing, Adrian Mason, director of Housing Development and Partnerships, said.
“The solution to homelessness is housing. It’s not fishing tents, it’s not Pallet shelters, it’s not camping, it’s not someone’s couch, it’s not a shelter,” Kabalen said. “It’s more housing.”
