Homeless To Be Accommodated In Existing Shelters

COMMUNITY SERVICES--Homeless To Be Accommodated In Existing Shelters

Anyone seeking shelter in Halifax will find it thanks to an enhanced partnership between Community Services, the Department of Health and shelter operators.

The announcement was made today, May 2, as plans were being finalized to move people still staying at a temporary winter shelter that opened in December and was scheduled to close on April 30.

Pendleton Place was established to replace a discontinued program at Brunswick Street United Church, following a meeting between the province, municipality and community representatives last fall. It was funded by the Department of Community Services and operated by the Saint Leonard's Society of Nova Scotia.

"We are very pleased to have worked with the Saint Leonard's Society to provide an important service for some of the homeless this winter," said Community Services Minister David Morse. "The staff of Pendleton Place have done a remarkable job and we are very thankful to them."

"We care about these individuals and want to make sure they have a place to go," said Jerry Smyth, executive director with the society. "We've been working with Community Services and other shelter operators to ensure the proper supports are in place for them."

Although Pendleton Place was operating near full capacity during the winter, other shelters experienced a decline in use and, in some cases, significant numbers of vacancies. As a result, Community Services met regularly with shelter operators to determine whether the needs of the homeless could be met within the existing shelter system.

"It was felt there was sufficient capacity for the homeless within the existing system," said Mr. Morse. "By working together to make the best possible use of existing resources and providing enhanced supports for those with mental health and substance abuse issues, the system can now accommodate anyone seeking shelter."

The enhanced supports include adding staff to one of the existing shelters and expanding the Capital District Health Authority's Shared Care Team and Mobile Crisis Team so that there are dedicated members for the emergency shelters.

Major Wayne Loveless, executive director of The Salvation Army, which provides shelter to homeless men, said: "We believe a higher level of co-operation among shelter operators, along with government support, will allow us to serve those who were staying at the temporary shelter as well as other homeless individuals."

Sheri Lecker, executive director of Adsum House, agrees. "The women's shelters are committed to doing our best to accommodate the women and female youth coming from Pendleton Place. We have also improved communications and are using our established referral process to ensure there is a bed available for any woman or female youth looking for a place to stay."

Tim Crooks, executive director of Phoenix Youth Programs, who works with homeless youth ages 16 to 24, adds: "We are collaborating with Community Services, Halifax Regional Municipality and other service providers to provide better support for vulnerable youth. We are committed to ensuring that youth have not only a place to stay, but also access to important programs and support services."

Major Loveless said that even with all of the supports in place, there will be people who spend the night on the street.

"Unfortunately, some people are resistant to any kind of service," he said. "We can do our best to make sure the shelter and supports are available, however we cannot control whether someone uses them."