Temporary Shelters in Downtown Halifax Credit: Steve MacArthur
The anonymous volunteer group behind the crisis shelters in Halifax isn’t going to take them down.
The city issued a warning on Tuesday to those living in the shelters that if they aren’t gone by July 13, they will step in and remove them.
The wooden shelters were built by members of Halifax Mutual Aid and have a door on the front, a roof, windows and are semi-insulated.
Notice posted on temporary shelter on July 6, 2021. Credit: Steve MacArthur
They were built in the winter as a band-aid solution to the limited affordable housing options in Halifax. In a statement on Twitter, the group says they won’t take them down until the need for them is gone.
Statement from Halifax Mutual Aid – July 6, 2021 pic.twitter.com/0hiryl2Jy3
— MutualAidHFX (@MutualAidHfx) July 6, 2021
The municipality says the shelters, which were built during the colder months, were able to remain on-site while the province and community-based partners worked to offer support, including a range of housing options and temporary accommodations.
The removal of the shelters was further postponed due to COVID-related public health restrictions. Hundreds of people attended a rally last month when it was reported the city was moving to remove the shelters.
The municipality says the province has been working to ensure all current residents are offered temporary accommodations to help bridge the gap to permanent housing. Five people have moved into other housing so far.
(Credit: Steve MacArthur)
HRM adds housing as a human right does not mean it can infringe on the rights of others, which is why the shelters must be cleared out of city spaces to ensure the safety of all residents remains the top priority.
The municipality says it will take the necessary steps to ensure these shelters are dealt with in a timely manner in the future. The statement says it’s important to remember those experiencing homelessness can choose to accept or decline housing options and offers of support.
Residents are reminded placing anything in a park for the purpose of temporary or permanent accommodation is not permitted under By-Law P-600 Section 8(2).
