Kendall Worth: it is safe to say that 80% of income assistance recipients live a life of loneliness and social isolation. Many do not have good relationships with their families, and many of them do not even talk to their families. COVID-19 made this so much more worse, but we can do something about it.
Kendall visits Progressive Conservative Party MLA Steve Craig in Lower Sackville, to find out about poverty in that area and discuss mental health issues that affect people on income assistance.
Danny Cavanagh: “We continue to be baffled by the assumption in the reopening plan that all families have the resources to simply “stay the blazes home” when their students exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.”
Halifax Council held a three hour virtual public hearing on a proposal to allow allow basement apartments and backyard suites for single-family homes, townhouses and duplexes across the municipality. Stella Lord spoke on behalf of the Community Society to End Poverty, pushing back on expectations that the changes will provide substantial amounts of new affordable housing, while suggesting some more effective approaches.
A new report calculates living wages for Halifax, Bridgewater, Antigonish, CBRM and Saint John, NB. To live a dignified life you need a living wage, enough money to live in a safe and decent home, eat healthy food, buy clothes when you need them, and pay for childcare and transportation.
Media Advisory: After 50 years of being located in the North End of Halifax, the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service (DLAS) will leave its current office at 2209 Gottingen Street on September 10, 2020. Staff members have been told that this move is due to building safety concerns. The DLAS will relocate to 2900 Agricola Street for two years pending the development of plans to return to the Gottingen Street neighbourhood.
“Black Lives Matter. Does mine? I faced some of my biggest hurdles this year. I was reminded daily that I matter, and reminded daily that I don’t. This pandemic has opened my eyes in some big ways and I am forever grateful.” Martha Mutale reflects on her work at a Halifax shelter.
Media release: Tenants are tired of dealing with landlords that are neglecting their units – we’re calling on the city to enact a proactive system to hold landlords accountable and keep units up to standard!
Sarah is 38 years old. She has lived with a learning disability her whole life and when she got older was diagnosed with OCD, mild anxiety disorder and Asperger. She has $315 left after rent, special diet and telephone is paid. That is $315 to pay her power bill and get groceries that are not covered in the special diet allowance.
In a brief ceremony outside City Hall this morning mayor Mike Savage handed tireless poverty activist and Nova Scotia Advocate reporter Kendall Worth a scroll in recognition of his receiving this year’s James McGregor Stewart Award.