Halifax approves four areas where about 30 people experiencing homelessness can camp

Halifax city council has unanimously approved a plan to allow people without housing to camp in four parks and green spaces in the municipality.



A staff report submitted to council had recommended allowing more than 30 people to sleep in tents at two sites in Halifax and two in Dartmouth.

The report states that Halifax is in a "homelessness crisis."

Those camping in the approved areas will be expected to follow noise bylaws and a ban on fires, which will be enforced by municipal compliance officers and not Halifax Regional Police.

There are also limits on the number of tents allowed at each site.

Even with planned housing units on the books, the report says demand for shelter will "still exceed supply."

Halifax had 200 shelter beds and 622 unhoused people in the city as of June 14, as reported by Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.

City councillor Tim Outhit says the plan is a “temporary Band-Aid” fix that doesn’t address the expected increase in homelessness.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2022.