Posted:
Notification
This morning, the Halifax Regional Municipality engaged directly with individuals at the de-designated University Avenue green space to move the closure process forward. As of 1 p.m., the location is now vacated.
As previously communicated, efforts related to relocating individuals from the de-designated location are civilian led.
On Sept. 24, the municipality announced that the University Avenue green space was de-designated as a location where people could shelter. This is due to safety concerns related to upcoming winter snow clearing operations in the area.
Since that time, of the approximately 35 people who had been sheltering at this location, three people remained as of this morning.
Over the past several weeks, the municipality has taken a number of steps to provide support to those who had been sleeping rough in the University Avenue green space. Municipal compliance staff and housing and homelessness coordinators have been on-site multiple times to offer supports and resources. This includes transportation of people and their belongings to provincially-funded indoor shelters and housing options, or to other municipal designated locations that are available, as well as temporary storage of belongings.
With the location now vacated, municipal staff will assess the site to determine if any further efforts are required to bring this public space back to its intended purpose.
Halifax Regional Police were on-site today to ensure public order was maintained and to uphold the Protection of Property Act. The municipal administration does not have authority to direct police-related operational matters. Police officers fulfill their obligation to enforce the law.
Indoor shelter and housing options
The municipality is aware that not all people who are currently sleeping rough will be able to go to a shelter for a variety of reasons. Provincial service providers continue to work with those sleeping rough to determine which provincial indoor shelter or housing options are appropriate for them.
More information on these options is available on the provincial webpage here.
For those who do not or cannot accept an indoor option, Street Navigators and municipal housing and homelessness staff are advising individuals to consider moving to other municipal designated locations that are available.
For more information about ongoing efforts by the municipality to help address homelessness in our region, visit: halifax.ca/addressinghomelessness.