Shelter Nova Scotia Offers New Direct Support for the Homeless – Halifax | The Canadian News

Shelter Nova Scotia has opened the doors to a new housing center initiative.

The Housing Hub is located on Cunard Street in Halifax. It will support people of any gender, ages 19 and older, who are homeless or transitioning from shelters to housing.

Support workers will connect people to the Coordinated Access System, which will help them find housing.

It will also provide “access to a shower, laundry. Some food. We have a space to hang out and be with other people, to be out of the elements,” said Julie Slen, Housing Support Supervisor.

Shelter Nova Scotia aims to provide a safer space to access the basic needs of people who may not be able to afford them or who do not feel welcome elsewhere.

“There will be things like haircuts. There will be access to health professionals. There will be visits with legal professionals, ”said Linda Wilson, Executive Director of Shelter Nova Scotia.

The Housing Center will also provide clothing or toiletries, all of which have been donated. Slen says that the little things that people don’t have and need are the things we take for granted.

“Things like dental floss or a pair of reading glasses. Or socks. Especially in this climate, I think people take the fact that you have dry socks and shoes for granted. “

Slen says the community effort to get this up and running has been incredible.

Parker Street Food Bank, as well as some small caterers, have donated food. IKEA has donated a washer and dryer unit.

Funding for the start-up of the Housing Center has been provided by the Municipality and Affordable Housing, among other partners. However, in the future, it will be strictly dependent on donations.

“We need the support of the community in all its forms. You know, everything from best wishes and positive conversations about what we’re doing to financial support because we don’t have any funding for our operating costs here, ”Wilson said.

Hours of operation will be Monday from 1 pm to 3 pm and Friday from 9 am to 12 pm.