New Shelter to Strengthen Homelessness Supports in Bridgewater
Shelter manager Krista Miller outside of The Landing in Bridgewater, which will have 23 emergency shelter beds and seven transitional supportive housing units. (Province of Nova Scotia)
People in Bridgewater experiencing homelessness will soon have access to a new shelter, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and expanded supports.
The Province will provide about $2.2 million in funding to the South Shore Open Doors Association (SSODA) to operate The Landing, which will have 23 emergency shelter beds and seven transitional supportive housing units, creating more space, stability and support for people experiencing homelessness in the community.
The new shelter will open in early June.
“Supporting people in our communities takes strong collaboration, and we’re grateful to SSODA and the municipality for their partnership and commitment,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. “This new 24/7 shelter is a major step forward for the community that will make a meaningful difference – providing a safe, welcoming place where people can access the supports they need, when they need them, to help them move toward stability.”
Like many communities, Bridgewater has seen increasing demand for shelter and support services for people experiencing homelessness.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen local responses to homelessness and ensure people remain connected to critical services, while also improving community safety.
The new shelter will offer continuous, on-site wraparound supports, including staff on location 24 hours a day, case management, connections to primary healthcare and mental health and addictions services, and support with income assistance, identification documents and housing applications.
The transitional supportive housing units – which serve as a bridge between emergency shelter and permanent housing – will help create pathways to more stable, longer-term housing.
Ensuring people experiencing homelessness receive appropriate supports while maintaining a safe and welcoming downtown is a shared focus of the municipality, service providers and affiliated local organizations.
Shelter manager Krista Miller in the kitchen at The Landing, the new emergency shelter and transitional housing facility operated by the South Shore Open Doors Association (SSODA) in Bridgewater. (Province of Nova Scotia)
Quotes:
“We know these supports are needed in our community and that to make a lasting difference they must be delivered in a co-ordinated, wraparound way. We are grateful to see this progress and look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of our entire community.”
— David Mitchell, Mayor, Town of Bridgewater
“At SSODA, we understand that homelessness is often shaped by trauma and systemic barriers, not just a lack of housing. The Landing will provide a 24-hour, low-barrier space where people can access support with dignity, choice and consistency. Together with our partners, we are building pathways to stability that are compassionate, inclusive and responsive to community needs.”
— Josie Rudderham, CEO, South Shore Open Doors Association
Quick Facts:
- The Landing is located on Elm Street in Bridgewater
- good neighbour practices, including regular communication with nearby residents and businesses and proactive community engagement, is part of the initiative
- Budget 2026-27 includes $165 million for supportive housing and homelessness, an increase of almost $35 million to create more supportive housing, expand shelter access and increase homelessness services in communities across the province
Additional Resources:
Supports for people experiencing homelessness: https://novascotia.ca/supports-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/
South Shore Open Doors Association: https://www.ssoda.org/