A new report offering a look at the state of homelessness in the Halifax Regional Municipality shows more people are spending nights in unsheltered locations, including sleeping in vehicles. The annual Point-in-Time (PiT) Homelessness Count was conducted this year on the evening of Oct. 14 to the morning of Oct. 15. It shows that compared to last year, the total count for people experiencing homelessness dropped slightly from 1,150 to 1,078. At the time the count was conducted, there were 18 shelter sites across the HRM with a maximum capacity of 817 beds. Their actual combined occupancy for that night was reported as 725 people. The number of beds available also dropped by 21 over the year, largely due to the closure of one shelter site. The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) and the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) jointly co-ordinate the annual HRM PiT Count. In a news release on Tuesday they write, “there were some noticeable shifts in where individuals spent the night.” Teams counted homelessness in the municipality, sheltered and unsheltered – such as in encampments, parks, sidewalks, and vehicles. The report finds fewer people are staying in encampments but there were significant increases in how many were in unsheltered locations. “This year also saw an increase in the number of individuals found sleeping in vehicles,” reads the report. “The increase from 34 to 51 is still believed to be a significant underrepresentation of the number of people likely sleeping in vehicles on a daily basis as there are far too many parking lots and other places for vehicles to occupy to be located during the single night of the PiT Count.” The report also notes that 17 of the 51 individuals found sleeping in a vehicle were located in rural areas of the HRM where no shelter option exists. “Increases in individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness across the region are a cause for concern,” the report concludes. “Continued and increased investment in data-informed housing solutions paired with wrap-around supports is necessary to create a sustainable impact on homelessness and housing insecurity on the journey towards ending homelessness in our community.” There are an additional unknown number of people experiencing “hidden homelessness,” including people couch surfing or staying temporarily with friends or family, who are not able to be counted through the PiT Count methodology. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
