In recent months, residents have gradually moved into the units located in the Centennial Pool parking lot along Cogswell Road. “We actually started moving in some of the residents and staff in mid-June and it’s been a progression of moving people and continuing to hire staff so far,” said Kat Stein, program manager for the Out of the Cold Community Association. , which runs the website. There’s room for 38 people at the location, and Stein said while the numbers fluctuate a bit, it’s been “pretty full” for a while. Halifax Regional Municipality completed work on the units and issued occupancy permits for them in May. Out in the cold he needed to hire and train staff to provide 24/7 support services on site, which took time. HRM expected people living in Meagher Park in tents and shelters to move into the Centennial Pool modulars. The park is now fenced off. (Robert Guertin/CBC) “There have been some challenges in finding the right people who fit the role and have the experience, but our staff pool looks very good,” Stein said. “Each resident has a case manager. We also have our full-time overnight staff.” Case managers are there to help people adjust to their new lifestyles, Stein explained, and offer support with navigating things like income assistance and health care needs. Three meals a day are also provided on site. Each of the residents has a key to their own private rooms, some for the first time in a long time. “It’s kind of heartwarming to hear how excited people are to have a door that they can close behind them and lock and a bathroom that they can access at any time of the day or night,” Stein said. In Dartmouth, similar modular units accommodating 24 people are located on Alderney Drive near Church Street. Stein said these units have been life-changing for some people since they opened in January.
Former Dartmouth Travelodge project ‘going well’
More rooms could be ready in Dartmouth by the end of November at the former Travelodge next to MacKay Bridge. The building is being renovated into permanent supportive housing. When completed, the new development will have space for 65 people. “Things are on track, they’re going well, and we expect to be able to move some people in by the end of November,” said Jim Graham, the executive director of the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Association. The association bought the old hotel with the help of funding from the province and Ottawa last fall. However, he ran into a few issues early on in the building’s overhaul. “We learned more about the building when we started to phase it out, and we were right in the middle of the rapid increase in inflation and the supply chain issues, so getting out of the cap took a while,” Graham said. The electrical systems in the hotel which was built in the 1970’s needed an upgrade and additional flooring work had to be done on all three levels after the old carpet was removed. Dartmouth Travelodge is located near Mackay Bridge, just off Windmill Road. (Google Maps) However, things are now progressing well in the building that will be called the Overlook, which is good news with winter on the way, Graham said. “It will make a huge difference to those who are staying out for sure, but it will make a difference to everyone having affordable accommodation with access to the support they need.” As of last week, the association estimated about 700 people were homeless in the Halifax area, indicating a need for this type of supportive housing model. The North End Community Health Center already has a team that has developed a plan to provide services to people who will be moving into the old hotel. “We will have daily nursing support, addictions counseling, two staff to provide support at all times, as well as access to medical care and we will have pharmacies daily to dispense prescriptions,” said Marie-France LeBlanc, the center’s executive director. health. Graham noted that help from the health center as well as other community agencies, its staff and three levels of government were critical to making the project happen. The Travelodge project is costing about $11.9 million, he said. Halifax District Council estimated the cost of modular units in Dartmouth and Halifax at $4.36 million.
