NEW GLASGOW The operator of a rural Nova Scotia emergency shelter, Northstar, is demanding an explanation from the provincial government regarding its decision to cease funding for the facility. This announcement has raised significant concerns about the future of the emergency shelter in New Glasgow, a small community located over 150 kilometers northeast of Halifax, home to a population of less than 10,000 according to the 2021 census data from Statistics Canada.
In a statement, Northstar expressed that the government’s decision to cut funding within 90 days puts the organization and the safety of the hundreds of individuals who rely on their services at serious risk. The shelter serves as a critical resource for unhoused individuals in the area, particularly with winter approaching.
The province has responded to the situation by seeking expressions of interest for new supportive housing projects in the region. Additionally, it stated that it would work with the shelter’s residents to find alternative housing and support options. However, Northstar is questioning how individuals experiencing homelessness will manage through the cold winter without shelter and has raised concerns about who will administer Naloxone, the drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, in emergencies.
Furthermore, Northstar highlighted the need for emergency shelters, questioning where those in poverty will receive over 1,000 meals monthly and what alternatives exist for individuals facing homelessness when supportive housing units are occupied. The organization criticized the province for not adequately addressing these pressing needs.
The local government of New Glasgow has previously expressed its dissatisfaction with the emergency shelter. The Town Council passed a unanimous motion last month urging the provincial government to close the facility, arguing that it fails to meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. Mayor Nancy Dicks of New Glasgow emphasized that the town is facing serious safety issues, which contributed to their decision to participate in a provincial public safety pilot project aimed at reducing crime in the area.
Concerns from local residents have been escalating, with multiple media reports citing complaints about public drug use, assaults, vandalism, and thefts occurring near the downtown shelter. The council’s motion stated that a health-centered approach is essential to helping individuals stabilize and receive the treatment they require. It also called on the province to develop a residential rehabilitation center to better address these issues.
Despite the criticisms, Northstar argues that while supportive housing is a necessary part of the solution, the emergency shelter remains essential for individuals seeking refuge when all other options have failed. The organization vowed not to passively accept a plan from the provincial government that could lead to vulnerable individuals falling through the cracks of the system.
In its statement, Northstar reiterated its commitment to advocating for the protection and support of the individuals it serves and expressed its determination to hold the provincial government accountable for its responsibilities to the community it was elected to serve.
This situation continues to develop as Northstar and the local government grapple with the implications of the funding cut and the broader needs of the community.
