Housing & Food Hub Resources

Where can I go to stay in the loop on housing issues in Canada?

What organizations in Nova Scotia are advocating/working on the housing crisis?

What Resources does the IWK have for Health and Housing?

Who at the IWK can you contact for more information?

Health Promotion Team
Upstream Policy & Advocacy

Pediatric Advocacy Group
Upstream Policy & Advocacy

Social Work team, MHA Navigators
Housing Navigation Needs

Occupational Therapists
Housing Supports

Child Safety Link
Housing Safety Information

What are some FAQs

IWK FAQ
A brief guide for health service providers regarding some of the commonly asked housing questions

What Internal Resources exist

Housing & Health: A Multi-Departmental Discussion on the Impact of Housing on Health - Sept.15, 2021
Pediatric Grand Rounds Presentation by an IWK internal multi-departmental group to discuss housing and health

IWK Housing and Mental health Infographic
An infographic on housing and mental health current state and solutions from the mental health and addictions health promotion team

My patient/client is experiencing housing need or housing instability

Emergency Shelters

Adsum for Women and Children
www.adsumforwomen.org
(902) 429-4443 or (902) 423-4443
Adsum for Women & Children has emergency shelter, short- and long-term housing, programs and services for women, families, youth and gender-diverse persons. Adsum for Women & Children operates four locations throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality: an emergency shelter, Adsum House; and long-term affordable housing in Halifax and Dartmouth with supports on site - Adsum Court and The Alders. Adsum also owns a few condominiums in Clayton Park that are rented to single moms and their families.

Barry House « Mobile Outreach Street Health
www.moshhalifax.ca
(902) 422-8324
Barry House is a shelter for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness. Women are welcome to bring their domestic pets.
GETTING A BED - If a woman is experiencing homelessness and does not have the means to secure housing elsewhere, Barry House may. Call at any time to determine if there is a bed available. If there are no beds available at that time, you are encouraged to call or arrive at Barry House (2706 Gottingen Street) at 6pm and/or midnight any day of the week, because these are the times that beds are re-assigned each day. Clients who are registered at the shelter are required to re-register each day between 4pm-6pm and must be in the building between midnight and 6am to guarantee their bed. There are some exceptions to this rule.

Bryony House – Where Hope Lives
www.bryonyhouse.ca
(902) 423-7183
For women and children fleeing domestic violence. Bryony House has a 24-bed shelter and dedicated counsellors to answer a 24-hour distress line, provide individual/group supportive counselling, public education, advocacy, and referrals.

Out of the Cold
outofthecoldhalifax.org/
(902) 225-0770
Emergency winter shelter for men and women aged 16+ (end of November – May 1st)

Phoenix Youth Programs | Because Youth Matter
www.phoenixyouth.ca
(902) 446-4663 or toll-free 1 888 878-5088
Phoenix is dedicated to helping youth ages 16-24 find safe, long-term housing. Helps youth currently in the shelter system and those potentially at risk of entering the shelter system to help them secure and maintain housing.

The Marguerite Centre
www.themargueritecentre.com
902-876-0006
The Marguerite Centre provides a holistic, women-centered approach to recovery from substance misuse and gambling addiction. Must be 19+, committed to 6 months to 1 year as a resident and have some form of income. Must have utilized other support services if available (ie. Addiction services, 12 step meetings, day detox, etc.).

Salvation Army – Men’s Shelter
halifaxcentreofhope.com
(902) 422-2363
Our services, beyond offering a safe and secure environment, include home cooked meals (3), snacks (3) on a daily basis, lounge, library, laundry facilities, clothing and transportation vouchers, daily chapel, spiritual assessment and guidance. We help clients obtain identification papers, police checks for volunteerism, and may accompany them to specialized appointments when required. We conduct trusteeship when needed…and invited. We periodically invite professional grooming at economical prices.

Metro Turning Point
www.shelternovascotia.com/shelter-services
(902) 420-3282
Metro Turning Point is a harm reduction, 30-bed emergency shelter for individuals who identify as male or are gender diverse. For those who stay with us, we provide a locker, 2-3 meals daily, access to a refrigerator, phone and laundry, personal care & comfort items, and assistance in securing independent housing. We collaborate with onsite support from Mobile Outreach Street Health (MOSH), Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services (APTS) Outreach Workers, Community Mental Health Nurse (NS Health Authority, Central Zone), the Department of Community Services Income Assistance Workers, Dalhousie Legal Aid and Phoenix Youth Programs, Halifax Regional Police, and the North End Community Health Centre.

Sackville Area Warming Centre
www.facebook.com/SackvilleAreaWarmingCentre/
sawcconnect@gmail.com
(902) 789-0764
A grassroots program which offers a safe, warm space for neighbors to drop-in during winter evenings. Housing support and case management are also available; appointments can be made with Rachel at the Sackville public library by calling or texting (902) 789-0764.

Supportive Housing Options & Second Stage Housing

Welcome Housing & Support Service
www.welcomehousing.ca/
902-423-5479
Provides support to people looking for affordable housing, helping with paperwork and communication with landlords. They also own six supportive housing buildings available to those needing a rent subsidy, or rent-geared-to-income, as well as those in recovery.

Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM)
https://www.ywcahalifax.com/programs/supportive-housing/shym/
902-410-8766 (Housing and Intake Coordinator)
Provides supportive housing, parenting support, and life skills development for at risk young single mothers ages 16 to 24.

Dartmouth Housing Help (partnered with Metro Non-Profit Housing Association and the Public Good Society of Dartmouth)
https://www.publicgoodsociety.ca/dartmouth-housing-help
info@welcomehousing.ca
(902) 423-5479
To establish a community-based response to housing needs of the people of Dartmouth, with a particular focus in Dartmouth North.Housing First-type services. Focus is on individuals who identify as homeless, or individuals who are living in precarious housing and have challenges regarding housing related issues.

Akoma Family Centre
akoma.ca/
A residential facility that provides a safe and nurturing place for children aged 3-13 with development and behavioral needs. We have developed an innovative approach that blends Afri-Centric Trauma- Informed Care principles, with best practices in the Autism field.

Affirmative Ventures
affirmativeventures.ca/homes
(902) 225-2130
A supported housing model based in community for individuals living with mental illness. Affirmative Homes are three-bedroom accommodations located in Dartmouth, NS. Residents receive support from volunteer members of the community who assist with the activities of daily living.

MOSH Housing First
nechc.com/services/mosh-housing-first/
We assist people to locate an appropriate, safe apartment of their choice and then provide ongoing, individualized support to help people to develop meaningful goals and enhanced independence.

Second Stage Housing
Antigonish: Naomi Society (902) 863-3807
New Glasgow: Pictou County Second Stage Housing (902) 928-0970
Sydney: Cape Breton Transition House (902) 562-4190
Truro: Welkaqanik Next Step Shelter (Priority to Aboriginal women) (902) 895-1738
Second stage housing offers safe and affordable housing for abused women and their children. You can also contact through your local transition house.

The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS)
thans.ca/
An umbrella association of Violence Against-Women organizations across the province but does not provide frontline service to individual clients. Find a women’s shelter: Our Shelters - THANS

Salvation Army – Booth Place Apartments
https://halifaxcentreofhope.com/causes/heal-charity-assosiation/
(902) 422-2363
16 new apartments aimed at independent living, 11 of which will be fully self-contained units and 5 semi-contained units. We see these apartments critical in our ongoing efforts to restore men to the community. Tenancy will be by short lease arrangement.

Alice Housing
www.alicehouse.ca
(902) 466-8459
Second stage housing for women and children. Our programs support women and children in their recovery from intimate partner violence. All counselling is woman-centered and focused on the immediate holistic needs of each family.

Housing Support

Connections that Work at Public Good Society
www.publicgoodsociety.ca/connections-that-work
thepublicgoodsociety@gmail.com
(902) 476-0785
The aim of the project is to help participants connect with services that they identify as the next steps towards self-reliance and employment. The Outreach Facilitator assists individuals at local food banks and community agencies in Dartmouth, helping them find support in areas like housing and mental health.

Street Navigation Services with the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission
neddnavigator@gmail.com
Connecting folks to what they need, from food to housing.

Navigator Street Outreach with the Downtown Halifax Business Commission
eric@downtownhalifax.ca
(902) 209-6517
Specializing in connecting the street-involved population with community support and services.

Halifax Housing Help
(902) 423-3829 or (902) 423-8475
2444 Brunswick Street
Halifax Housing Help is both a housing support and trustee service offering case management to individuals experiencing barriers to finding and sustaining appropriate housing, responding to at‐risk and difficult to house individuals who have significant challenges in obtaining and retaining housing stability.

Dartmouth Housing Help
info@dartmouthhousinghelp.ca
(902) 466-3483
Unit 101, 260 Wyse Rd
The project promotes housing retention and improved health and social functioning among individuals who experience housing instability.

Public Housing and Rent Supplement Support

Housing Nova Scotia
housing.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services
Housing Nova Scotia offers programs to help lower income households rent and maintain safe and affordable housing. For homeowners they offer grants and loans for home repairs and additions to make sure your house is your home. They also offer mortgage funds and grants to help purchase or build modest houses

Metropolitan Halifax
www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/i-r/metropolitan-regional-housing-authority
902-943-0835 or 902-420-6000 (24 hours)
Includes all of Halifax Regional Municipality / HRM and East Hants

Western - 902-681-1154 Includes the Counties of Annapolis, Kings, part of Hants, Lunenburg, and Queens Regional Municipality. Digby, Yarmouth and Shelburne
Cobequid - 902-893-7235 Includes Cumberland & Colchester Counties
Eastern Mainland - (902)863-0956 Includes Antigonish, Guysborough & Pictou Counties
Cape Breton - (902)563-0590 or 902-563-2425 Includes Cape Breton, Richmond, Inverness & Victoria Counties

The five Housing Authorities in the province are responsible for the administration and management of the rental housing units. An application for rental housing can be obtained by contacting the Housing Authority in your area and links can be found here: Housing Authority Offices (includes Public Housing) | Nova Scotia Department of Community Services

Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB) Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit | Housing Nova Scotia
housing.novascotia.ca/programs/canada-nova-scotia-targeted-housing-benefit
CNSTHB provides funding directly to people in need so they can choose their own housing and pay a portion of their housing costs. Homeowners can receive support to stay in their own homes and renters can take the benefit with them if they move to another apartment in the province.

What other supports are available to support for my household?

Meals

Salvation Army Breakfast Program (Spryfield and surrounding area)
(902) 477-5393
328 Herring Cove Road
Free meal:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 9:30am – 10:30am
Thursday hot breakfast 9:30am – 10am
Mom and tot playgroup 9:30am – 11am
Monday sewing club 9:30am – 12:30pm

Freedom Kitchen at Knox United Church
(902) 865-9216
567 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
Takeaway meals on Mondays from 4pm-6pm

Community Café at Sackville Public Library
(902) 865-8653
636 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a snack available on Fridays from 10am-11am

The Loaded Ladle
(902) 494-6662
Dalhousie Student Union Building, Room B24, 6136 University Avenue
Student-run organization with plant-based meals. Hours are September – April, Tuesday – Friday 1pm.

Sunday Supper (Saint Andrew’s United Church)
(902) 422-3157
6036 Coburg Road
Hot meal on Sunday, 4pm-5:30pm

Brunswick St Mission
(902) 422-1598
(902) 423-4605 (to register for food bank)
2107 Brunswick St
Free meal Monday – Saturday 7am – 9am (doors open at 6am for coffee)
Food bank, Wednesday for food pick up Thursday, arrive by 9:30am

Hope Cottage
www.hopecottage.ca
(902) 429-7968
2435 Brunswick Street
Free meal Monday – Friday 10am – 11am, 5pm – 6pm

Daily Bread Outreach
(902) 423-7574
1531 Grafton Street
Free meal, Monday – Friday 1:30pm – 3:30pm

David’s Place Drop-In
(902) 423-1944
St David’s Church Hall 1537 Brunswick Street
Free meal, Friday 10am – 1pm, doors open at 8:30am

Feeding Others of Dartmouth
(902) 464-2919
43 Wentworth Street
Free meal
-Monday – Sunday 12pm – 12:30pm
-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 4:30pm – 5pm

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission
www.shrm.ca
(902) 405-4663
5568 Cunard Street
Lunch served every weekday

Food Bank Café, St. Paul’s
Khollery_stpaulsfri@hotmail.com
(902) 477-5090
173 Old Sambro Road
Tea, coffee, and snacks during Wednesday morning food bank

St. George’s Church
(902) 423-1059
2222 Brunswick Street
Free meal Saturday 4pm-5pm

St. Matthew’s United Church
(902) 423-9202
1479 Barrington Street
Free meal Sunday 8:30am-9:30am

Square Roots
www.enactussmu.ca/square-roots
Three food programs

Token program. Customers can enjoy a meal by purchasing a $5 token to be exchanged at a partnering restaurant
Bundle service. Customers can purchase 10lb fruit and vegetable bundles for $5 or $10 on the last Saturday of the month, which uses seconds produce from local farmers
Free produce bundles. Every two weeks. Follow Tony Mancini on Facebook for sign-up page.

North Grove Community Food Centre
(902) 464-8234
6 Primrose Street, Unit 115, Dartmouth

Good Food Affordable Market. Produce for sale at affordable prices. Free buffet-style meal with coffee and tea. Friday 10am-11:30am
Community meals. Breakfast on Monday and Wednesday, lunch on Wednesday, family supper on Monday, Friday buffet, meals on Tuesday and Friday from 1:30pm-3pm
Coffee talk, coffee/tea and a light meal Thursday 10am-11:30am (call for dates). Registration required
Affordable produce market. Some free takeaway produce bags while supplies last. Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm
Food and Families (for parents and kids aged 2+). Thursday 10am-11:30am (call for dates), registration required

Margaret’s House/Feeding Others of Dartmouth
(902) 464-2919
43 Wentworth Drive
Meal on Monday to Friday, 11:30am-12:30pm.

Alderney Gate Public Library
(902) 490-5745
“Coffee Corner Chat” with a light meal.

Dartmouth North Public Library
(902) 490-5840
Soup takeaway, Saturday from 11:30am-12:30pm
Lunch takeaway for teens, Friday at 11:45am while supplies last

Food Banks

Christ Church
(902) 466-4270
61 Dundas Street
Food bank, Thursday 9am – 11am

Beacon House
(902) 864-3025
470 Cobequid Road
Food bank running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am-12:45pm, and Thursday from 6pm-7:45pm

Gateway Food Bank
(902) 865-3731
10 Beaverbank Road
Food bank on Wednesday from 9am-12pm, Thursday by appointment. Call and leave a message with your name and number before noon on Tuesday to make an appointment (required for both days), and bring health cards for each member of the household, as well as proof of address

Church of the Holy Spirit Helping Hands Food Bank
(902) 463-6544
1 Regency Drive
Provides 3-5 days of food for food assistance

East Dartmouth Christian Food Bank Association
(902) 434-5819
51 Woodlawn Road
Food bank, open Thursday 9am - 11am

Eastern Shore Volunteer Food Bank
(902) 889-9243
43 East Petpeswick Road
Food bank providing 3-5 days of food.
Summer hours: starting in July, 10am – 1:30pm for the first 3 Wednesdays of each month until November. Then, hours run every second Wednesday night from 6pm – 8pm

Food Bank Café, St. Paul’s
Khollery_stpaulsfri@hotmail.com
(902) 477-5090
173 Old Sambro Road
Tea, coffee, and snacks during Wednesday morning food bank

Parker St. Food Bank
(902) 425-2125
2415 Maynard Street
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am – 11am
Register at 8am, bring government ID, photo ID, proof of address

Salvation Army (Dartmouth)
(902) 466-6847
171 Main Street Unit 4
Thursday 6pm-8pm

St. Mark’s Foodbank
(902) 454-0207
5522 Russell Street
Tuesday 9am-11am

Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica Daily Bread Outreach
(902) 423-7574
5221 Spring Garden Road
Food assistance for those in need
Monday-Friday 1:30pm-3:30pm

Saint Mary’s University Community Food Bank
www.smu.ca/foodroom
5916 Inglis Street
O’Donnell-Hennessey Student Centre, 5th floor, room 526
Food assistance for those in need
Usually provides 3-5 days of food

Uniacke Square Community Food Bank
(902) 423-5629
2420 Cragg Avenue, Halifax
Food assistance for those in need
Third Thursday 9am-11am

Victoria Road Baptist Church Food Bank
(902) 469-8576
36 Victoria Road
Food assistance for those in need
Wednesday 3pm-4pm
Usually provides 3-5 days of food

Square Roots
www.enactussmu.ca/square-roots
Three food programs

Token program. Customers can enjoy a meal by purchasing a $5 token to be exchanged at a partnering restaurant
Bundle service. Customers can purchase 10lb fruit and vegetable bundles for $5 or $10 on the last Saturday of the month, which uses seconds produce from local farmers
Free produce bundles. Every two weeks. Follow Tony Mancini on Facebook for sign-up page.

North Grove Community Food Centre
(902) 464-8234
6 Primrose Street, Unit 115, Dartmouth

Good Food Affordable Market. Produce for sale at affordable prices. Free buffet-style meal with coffee and tea. Friday 10am-11:30am
Community meals. Breakfast on Monday and Wednesday, lunch on Wednesday, family supper on Monday, Friday buffet, meals on Tuesday and Friday from 1:30pm-3pm
Coffee talk, coffee/tea and a light meal Thursday 10am-11:30am (call for dates). Registration required
Affordable produce market. Some free takeaway produce bags while supplies last. Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm
Food and Families (for parents and kids aged 2+). Thursday 10am-11:30am (call for dates), registration required

Feed Nova Scotia
Food box program, delivered to you once per month. Call 211 to register, Monday to Friday from 8am-8pm.

Salvation Army Food Bank
(902) 466-6167
946 Main Street
Monday 1pm-3pm or 4pm-6pm by appointment.

St. James United Food Bank
(902) 464-8852
181 Portland Street
Every other Tuesday by appointment.

North Dartmouth Outreach Resource Centre
(902) 469-2188
44 Hester Street
Every other Tuesday by appointment. Food bank on Wednesday from 8:30am-10am.

Demetreous Lane Food Bank
(902) 407-5557
12 Canso Lane
Second Wednesday of each month by appointment.

Dartmouth North Christian Food Bank
(902) 466-2475
27 Farrell Street
Thursday from 9:30am-12pm.

East Dartmouth Christian Food Bank
(902) 434-5819
51 Woodlawn Road
Thursday 9am-11am.

Cole Harbour Woodside United Church Food Bank
(902) 434-7714
15 Bissett Road
1st and 3rd Tuesday from 1pm-3pm.

Utilities

Efficiency NS
efficiencyns.ca/
Help saving on efficiency of homes. Also offer free assessments and upgrades to make home heating and cooling more affordable

Salvation Army HEAT Fund
https://salvationarmy.ca/maritime/2018/01/gnef-offers-comfort-warmth-nova-scotians-need/
The HEAT Fund provides emergency assistance for all forms of heating, including propane, oil, fuel, firewood, coal, and electricity. Applicants are invited to apply for the program every 24 months, which runs annually from January 15 to April 30. The HEAT Fund offers a maximum assistance in the amount of $400 for individuals and families. You may apply if:
You live in Nova Scotia and are within the following low-income threshold:

$29,000 for one-person households,
$47,703 for two to four person households, and
$67,937 for households of five or more individuals.

Your household is experiencing an emergency heating situation

Heating Assistance Rebate Program
https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates range from $100 to $200. To qualify for the rebate, you need to pay for your own home (residential) heat and meet 1 of the following criteria:

have a net income of $29,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
have a combined net income of $44,000 or less and live with kids, dependents, or other adults
receive Income Assistance from the Department of Community Services
receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada

How to make housing safe and accessible for babies, children, youth?

Research

Child Safety Link
childsafetylink.ca/safety-at-home/home-safety/
Provides resources on home safety for each age & stage of child

Nova Scotia 211
https://ns.211.ca/search/
A 24/7 connection to the programs and services in your community including housing repair funds

Are you a renter needing to understand your rights as a tenant?

Legal Aid Support

Nova Scotia 211
https://ns.211.ca/search/
A 24/7 connection to the programs and services in your community including housing options, supports, and legal information

NS Legal Aid
www.nslegalaid.ca/who-qualifies/
Help with family, criminal and social justice (income benefits and housing security) legal issues

Dalhousie Legal Aid
www.dal.ca/faculty/law/dlas.html
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service does community outreach, education, organizing, lobbying and test case litigation to combat injustices affecting persons with low incomes in Nova Scotia

Legal Information Society of NS
www.legalinfo.org/
www.legalinfo.org/i-have-a-legal-question/housing-owning-renting-neighbours/
Includes housing legal info (can speak to a legal professional; not formal legal advice)

Family Law Nova Scotia
https://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/information/community-agencies
Broad Community Services and resources for specific populations and contact information

Tenancy Board

Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Act
www.nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/residential tenancies.pdf

What is the position on health on housing from others in the sector?

Government

National Housing Strategy
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/nhs
Canada’s national housing agency, helping Canadians meet their housing needs, champion research and advise on the housing industry.

Health Organizations

Canadian Pediatric Society
Meeting the health care needs of street-involved youth
Housing need in Canada: Healthy lives start at home
A voluntary professional association that represents more than 3,600 pediatricians and others who work with and care for children and youth, governed by an elected Board of Directors representing all provinces and territories.

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
WRHA Support in Community Housing Position Statement
A health authority providing much of Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, and Nunavut with healthcare support and specialty referral services.

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Universal Design and Occupational Therapy.pdf
National organization supporting Occupational Therapists, their OT Assistants, and OT students across Canada by providing resources, services, and learning opportunities.

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
Homelessness-Policy Statement.PDF
A voluntary professional association made up of nurses who advocate for healthy public policy and influence decisions that affect the public.

Heart and Stroke Foundation
accessto-affordablehealthy-nutritiousfoods-ps-eng.ashx
An organization that funds research of heart disease and stroke and promotes preventative lifestyles.

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/news/poor-housing-conditions-linked-to-respiratory-health-issues-in-young-first-nations-children.aspx
A hospital offering various services and specialized care, including a research institute.

Non-Governmental Organizations Focused on Policy

Mental Health America
Supportive Housing and Housing First
The leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all in the US.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
www.policyalternatives.ca/
Independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice

A Way Home Canada
awayhome.ca/
National coalition reimagining solutions to youth homelessness through transformations in policy, planning and practice

Raising the Roof
C&F Report - Final.pdf (homelesshub.ca)
A national charity dedicated to finding long-term solutions to homelessness.

Where can I go to stay in the loop on housing issues in Canada?

Homeless Hub Halifax
https://www.homelesshub.ca/community-profile/halifax
A website providing data on homelessness and housing in various cities across Canada

Habitat for Humanity
https://habitat.ca/en
An organization making housing affordable by partnering with volunteers to build homes and offering affordable mortgage rates.

Nova Scotia 211
https://ns.211.ca/search/
A 24/7 connection to the programs and services in your community including housing options, rebates, and subsides