Increasing Emergency Shelter Services in New Glasgow
The Province is providing more than $430,000 to Viola’s Place in New Glasgow to hire an additional housing support worker, expand shelter services and add shelter beds.
“Viola’s Place is dedicated to serving people with compassion and dignity,” said Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services. “Collaborations and partnerships with community-led organizations like Viola’s Place are a critical part of our provincial response to homelessness.”
The funding will allow the shelter to extend its hours from evenings and overnight to 24-hour access to staff and supports, providing more flexibility for people in need of assistance and allowing staff to help more people. Staff will work with guests staying at the shelter to develop plans, including housing support and trustee services, and to support the transition to permanent housing.
This funding will also cover one-time expenses for renovation costs to increase the number of co-ed beds to 20 from eight.
Viola’s Place Society is a part of the shelter diversion program to help address homelessness in rural Nova Scotia. Earlier this year, the society received $20,000 in diversion funding for eviction prevention interventions and to help people secure housing. This funding can also be used for emergency short-term hotel stays when other resources such as shelter beds are not available to meet the need.
Quotes:
“Viola’s Place Society is thrilled with the generous support we have received from the Department of Community Services. This funding has allowed us to more than double our shelter bed capacity. In addition, we have been able to add more skilled members to our team and broaden our programs. These programs offer homeless individuals and/or those at risk of homelessness access to food, hot showers, laundry services, financial assistance, housing support, and community navigation.”
– Lisa Deyoung, Executive Director, Viola’s Place Society
Quick Facts:
- Viola’s Place offers emergency shelter services and works with clients to help them transition into long-term housing
- moving forward, the Department of Community Services will provide Viola’s Place more than $680,000 in annual funding for shelter services, housing support workers, diversion supports, and trustee services
Additional Resources:
Viola’s Place: https://www.violasplacesociety.com/
News Release – Addressing Homelessness in Rural Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220217002
Mandate letter of the Minister of Community Services: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DCS-OLA-SOW.pdf