Halifax tent camps gear up for arrival of new and returning residents

As summer approaches, tent encampments in Halifax are seeing an increase in population. Residents like William Thompson, who has been living at the Geary Street encampment for a month, have noticed more people asking to join. In response, Thompson and other residents have been working to improve the site by making it look more presentable and creating a sense of community. They have also been requesting donations of materials like garbage cans and mulch to help with the upkeep of the site. Thompson mentioned that they would welcome any help from the community.

Thompson predicts that there will be an additional 10 to 12 tents pitched at the camp within the next few weeks. Long-time advocate for the unhoused, Matthew Grant, acknowledges that tent encampments are not ideal living situations but believes they are not going away anytime soon. A staircase has been installed at the site along Barrington St. in anticipation of the growing population, with the Halifax Regional Municipality stating that it was done to ensure safe access. However, Grant believes this sends a negative message as it may hide the presence of people sleeping rough.

At the Green Rd. encampment across the bridge, residents have also noticed an increase in the number of tents being pitched. Shauna Allison, a new resident at Green Rd., believes that more resources are needed to help with addiction recovery and finding jobs for residents. She emphasizes the importance of providing long-term solutions to the housing crisis to prevent people from ending up back on the streets. By giving people something productive to do, Allison believes that the cycle of homelessness can be broken.

Grant expresses concern about the increasing number of tent encampments and the lack of adequate resources to support residents. He believes that the issues surrounding homelessness will persist unless a comprehensive approach is taken to address the root causes. Grant points out that the installation of a staircase at the Barrington St. site may not be the most effective solution and could potentially hide the presence of individuals in need.

Despite the challenges faced by residents of tent encampments, there is a sense of resilience and community spirit among them. Residents like William Thompson are taking proactive steps to improve their living conditions and create a sense of belonging. By working together and receiving support from the community, they are striving to make their temporary homes more livable. The call for more resources and long-term solutions from advocates like Matthew Grant and Shauna Allison highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address homelessness in Halifax. The presence of tent encampments serves as a reminder of the ongoing housing crisis and the importance of providing support and resources to those in need.