As Halifax modular units face delays, volunteer says more needed to address homelessness
“We’re not here because we love the park or anything like that,” she said. “We’re here because people are really suffering here, and they need a little bit of help, whatever help they get.”Structure for unhoused residents voluntarily removed after HRP response – Mar 4, 2022
She worries about the potential for another Aug. 18-style eviction, which she said would be traumatic and scary for the park residents. “We didn’t have anything six months ago. We had nothing.… We were working with the province, but we didn’t have any direct housing that we controlled for people who were homeless.
“We could put something up, but it would be subsistence, and it wouldn’t be the kind of dignified living that I believe every person deserves to have,” he said.Savage also said the city is working with the provincial and federal governments on the rapid housing initiative, and about 140 units will be made available through that.
Asked if, given the expected rise of people living in tents this summer, the city will involve police in removing themHowever, he said police “will act if safety is in danger.”“Our intention has never been to remove people … unless it’s provoked by people trying to make a point, that’s not going to be our intent,” he said.