Number of homeless in N.S. emergency hotel shelters down by 86 per cent: province

Nova Scotia says it’s seen a sharp drop in the number of people experiencing homelessness in its shelter hotels.

The province of Nova Scotia is giving an update on the number of people experiencing homelessness living in provincially-paid hotel rooms.

It says there has been a decline over the past year from 251 to 36 people, representing an 86 per cent decrease.

The number of hotel rooms is down from 111 to 18.

The province says the main reason for the decline is the growth of its master lease program.

The program funds organizations to lease housing units from landlords, which are then subleased to those experiencing homelessness.

There are currently about 320 units under the agreements, with 10 service providers.

The province expects the numbers to grow in the coming months.

“We know hotel stays can be a lifeline for those in need. While it is a short-term solution for people experiencing homelessness, it was never meant for long-term stays. The master lease program is helping to shift hotel stays back to its intended purpose – an emergency response – while providing more people with the comforts of a home,” said Minister of Opportunities and Social Development Barbara Adams in a provincial news release.

People who sublease from a service provider usually pay about 30 per cent of their income in rent.

The service providers in turn deliver supports to the residents and the goal is to have them eventually take over the lease.

The supports can include mental and physical health care, substance-use treatment, life skills and job readiness programs, and access to food and other essentials.

The program also provides housing options for youth, women and children fleeing violence, people discharged from hospital and those who have a criminal record or other conflicts with the justice system.

“Women and gender-diverse people often face barriers to second chances due to their criminal records. The supportive housing master lease program helps them develop pro-social lifestyles and build a rental reputation to move forward. By addressing the social issues behind their criminalization and fostering stability, the program aims to break the revolving-door cycle and offer hope for a better future,” said Darlene MacEachern, the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton.

The province says the program’s budget for 2025-26 is about $15.4 million.

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