The Minister of Community Services in Nova Scotia feels getting the homeless off the street can not happen fast enough.
Karla MacFarlane admits it is an issue she struggles with on a personal level.
“I find it very difficult. I struggle with it for sure…and I’ll reaffirm I don’t want to see anyone sleeping rough or in a homeless situation,” MacFarlane told reporters. “Homelessness is an issue we are seeing right across this province.
The latest figures from the Halifax Regional Municipality show almost 600 people do not have a permanent home. MacFarlane made the comments after the city council designated four areas for people to set up a tent if they needed to.
The locations where tents are allowed include the Barrington Street greenway and Lower Flinn Park in Halifax, and the Geary Street green space and Green Road Park in Dartmouth.
The four sites were chosen as they meet specific criteria such as being in close proximity to services like washrooms. They’re also located at least 50 metres away from schools, daycares, playgrounds, or cemeteries.
“It will never happened soon enough or as fast as any of us want it to [ending homelessness]…but what I can tell you is we are working with service providers right across this province [to address homelessness].” explained MacFarlane.
The number of homeless people in Halifax has doubled over the last four years alone, according to recent data.
