Halifax Regional Municipality closes Geary Street encampment site
The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is closing and de-designating the Geary Street green space in Dartmouth, N.S., on Wednesday, according to a news release.
The city has issued notices to vacate the site to those sheltering in the space. They have until June 22 to relocate and remove all their belongings from the site.
The municipality said it is directing people sheltering at Geary Street to one of the available spaces at provincial shelters or another designated space.
The municipality said it will offer resources and supports, including transporting people to other provincially-funded housing options or designated locations in HRM. It will also transport or store their belongings.
HRM said the Geary Street site is the least-used designated encampment in recent months after three years of consistently low numbers.
Service providers will work with people sleeping rough to determine which shelter is best for them, said the release.
As of Friday, municipal housing and homelessness staff determined there were 51 tents and four trailers in the city's remaining designated locations. Those locations, established in July 2022, were always meant to be temporary, said the release.
HRM said more designated locations will close and be de-designated as more indoor shelter spaces and supportive housing options become available.
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