Volunteer Group Withdraws From Halifax Tent Camp Site To Enable ‘Resident Managed System’ – Halifax | The Canadian News

A 24-hour volunteer “vigil” at a Halifax camp for the homeless is ending, after the group says it received assurances from the city that there will be no further evictions.

The Permanent, Accessible, Decent and Safe Housing Options Group (PADS) was created after Halifax Regional Police officers forcibly evicted camps from the city on August 18. The day culminated in chaotic protests that led to two dozen arrests and officers pepper-spraying. crowds.

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Halifax Finds Housing for 7 Homeless People, But Volunteers Question Longevity

For almost 40 days, PADS volunteers have been in Meagher Park, also known as People’s Park, the city of temporary tents on Chebucto and Dublin streets. Volunteers have been providing security, food and water, while also working with residents to discuss housing alternatives.

As of Sunday, the group says HRM has promised them that there will no longer be evictions at shelters and crisis camps. So the volunteers are taking a step back.

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“Basically, we will hand the operations over to the residents here, who will control their own self-government and organize supplies,” says PADS volunteer Amber Zaza.

“And the volunteers will help with off-site needs, as well as provincial and federal governments to reach our (goal) of affordable housing.”


Click to Play Video: 'Some Moved from Halifax Campgrounds to Hotel Rooms and Were Told to Leave'



Some moved from the Halifax camps to hotel rooms and were told they must leave.


Some moved from the Halifax camps to hotel rooms and were told they must leave – September 15, 2021

PADS says Erica Fleck, HRM’s emergency manager, spent several hours Saturday in the park, speaking with residents about their concerns.

Fleck was recently assigned a three-month role leading the city’s emergency response to the homeless.

Earlier this month, he told Global News that the situation was a “crisis event.”

“It’s going to be a lot of input, a lot of planning and not just a solution,” Fleck said at the time.

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Zaza says there are currently 24 residents in the Meagher Park camp, but the numbers fluctuate. Some residents have found safe short-term options.

“I guess we’re putting it in good hands now,” says Zaza.

“We really rely on this space here to keep the people safe and here to stay safe and cared for by the community and by the volunteers who still stay here and come and go.”

HRM has arranged hotel accommodations for some, but PADS says the current options are a “significant downgrade” from initial promises.

– With files from Jesse Thomas and Alex Cooke

© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



Reference-globalnews.ca

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