Two designated encampments open in HRM this winter, but fewer people living outdoors

Many people are still living in tents in Halifax amid harsh winter conditions.

As you drive along Barrington Street in the north end of Halifax, you will pass a homeless encampment. It may appear to be snow-covered tents and random items laying around to some people, but it’s someone’s home. In fact, a number of people live there.

“Currently, we have two designated encampments within (the Halifax Regional Municipality). At the Barrington Street encampment, we have approximately 11 people, and at the Green Road Park encampment in Dartmouth, we have 14-to-16 people,” says Ashton Stephenson, the municipality’s housing and homelessness acting director.

During the day, the municipality has an outreach team that checks in on the individuals living at the sites. They visit on an almost daily basis.

“Our outreach team is there to connect with individuals, the ultimate goal is to get people housing. That’s been successful in some cases, but in many unsuccessful for sure,” says Stephenson.

During the evenings, from 4 p.m. until 12 a.m., the After Hours Individualized mobile engagement (AIM) team steps in to help. The service is operated by Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.

“We have a crew, ‘Higher Ground.’ And ‘Higher Ground’ goes around and cleans up some of the waste and the garbage and we have an encampment lead that deals with the site preparations around organizing cleanups and porta potties and electricity and water,” adds Stephenson.

There are indoor options as well. The province says there are 585 shelter beds across Nova Scotia, and they open 72 additional beds during emergency weather situations.

“In HRM, we have, as of last Thursday, 21 shelter beds that were available. We also have a number of supportive housing units. There are also a number of times where there is flow, people coming into shelters, supportive housing, perhaps reconciling with family and moving into the market,” says Jaime Smith, the executive director of supportive housing and homelessness with the Nova Scotia government.

According to the province, there are fewer people living outside this winter than in the past.

“Throughout the winter, we have had fewer people reported to us by HRM, as well as Shelter Nova Scotia outreach, fewer people outdoors. Last week, it was reported to us that within HRM there were 47 individuals, whether those were in the two designated encampments in HRM or undesignated sites,” Smith says.

Halifax currently has no plan to close either of the encampments until at least the fall or winter of 2027.

“Both sites are still open and active. And we are planning to bring a bit more structure and roles and responsibilities to the encampments within the next couple of months,” adds Ashton.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page