“No one should be homeless in our city, but because of greed and those who get to call the shots in Province House and our city, and with our tax dollars, the unfortunate are left to suffer.”
News release: The workers of Bryony House (PSAC DCL Local 80022) are pleased that a new home has been found for the only transition house in the Halifax Regional Municipality, but questions remain about why it only happened after such a long wait and public pressure.
This morning Bryony House workers, members of PSAC, and their supporters, some 70 people in all, attended a lively rally in front of the empty building where Bryony House used to be. They want to raise awareness about the loss of shelter for abused women and children.
The only shelter in the HRM specializing in support for women and their children escaping violence is closed. Although the poor state of the shelter was well known, there was no plan for an immediate temporary shelter.
For many Nova Scotians renting an apartment in the community they call home is becoming very challenging. The Nova Scotia NDP is pushing for rent control, Airbnb regulation and rules that will make apartment hunting a little easier.
PSA: Please join us in remembering and honouring those who have lost their lives while experiencing homelessness and poverty.
“For many years I held full time employed positions, mainly minimum wage, and have paid my taxes dutifully to this government. Then something happened in my life that rendered me and my 16 year old daughter homeless. As a last resort I took myself and my daughter to seek refuge at a homeless shelter. My daughter was accepted without a problem, but I was not accepted as I was employed full time.” Lucy MacDonald shares a letter she sent to premier Stephen McNeil about being homeless, and about trying to make ends meet while on Income Assistance.
New contributor Lucy MacDonald knows all about homelessness and living in shelters. Community Services is actually fostering homelessness rather than solving it with is impractical rules and inadequate shelter allowances, she says.