Halifax housing crisis continues
Local community members are expressing outrage and confusion over evictions
Haligonians rallied on September 17th opposing the city’s plan to evict unhoused citizens staying in tents at People’s Park located at the corner of Dublin Road and Chebucto Road.
Victoria LeVack is the Vice President of People’s Park Housing. She says people are being given eviction notices which are leaving them with few options and city councillors need to stop evicting people.
“City councillors need to find out where their hearts are about this and stop evicting people who have no where to go,” says LeVack.
LeVack says people in the community are helping by bringing food, drinks and clothes. She says she thinks people realize how important this issue is in Halifax.
“This is important because people realize it’s not just a city issue, it’s a provincial issue,” she says.
LeVack says with a Progressive Conservative government in power, she worries that the housing crisis may not be an important issue to the new government.
“We’re all scared because we have a conservative government, and as we all know, conservative governments are not known for investing in social safety nets, “ says LeVack.
Drew Moore is a volunteer at People’s Park, he says one of the concerns is some people who are living at the park have lost their jobs because they’ve lost their house.
“Employers have learned that they’re unhoused, which makes it difficult for them to maintain their employment,” says Moore.
Another housing organization, Halifax Mutual Aid, has been building insulated shelters. Campbell McClintock, Spokesperson for Halifax Mutual Aid, says their mission is to build them for people who need them.
McClintock says with the new housing units being developed, it is important to communicate to the people who are affected.
“I don’t think any plan is a good plan unless the people who are directly affected by this issue are being intentionally engaged and consulted,” says Campbell McClintock.
McClintock says volunteers have been helping with Halifax Mutual Aid as winter approaches.
“We’re moving into winter soon so where energy is needed the most right now is people recognizing that what’s needed is more than just food and clothing but actual housing solutions,” he says.
The city of Halifax has proposed a plan to build 73 modular units but has not put any plan into motion. People’s Park and Halifax Mutual Aid have both said they will continue to shelter houseless people for as long as needed.
