Good morning all, I have been asked for an update on the University Avenue encampment closure.
I don’t have much to add at this time, but will put all the information here in one place for reference. This information was provided to the council-elect at our orientation session on 31 October by the CAO and her chief of staff.
As mentioned in the 01 November Atlantic News podcast, the province, through outreach workers, has worked with those sleeping rough to develop intensive case management plans over the last several weeks. Several people have been matched with indoor options to date. This work is continuing now as the 01 November deadline to close the encampment has passed.
In late September, the 01 November closure date was released. The date was chosen to be before any snow was expected to fall due to the safety hazard large plows on the streets passing close by encampment residents would be. Residents of the encampment were provided with totes to pack their belongings for moving or storage.
Here is the 24 September statement from HRM.
Here is the 24 September notice to vacate:
I will share any new information from HRM as I receive it, or you may see information quicker in the media from Max Chauvin, Director of Housing & Homelessness as I will be in orientation sessions most days from now to 18 November, plus council meetings 12 & 19 November.
Here is one news story from 1 November:
A meeting between myself and Max is being scheduled to start to build our working relationship and share information, and I will also be meeting with the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. I do not have meeting dates yet as I do not gain access to my email, laptop and phone until 06 November, but have started arranging meetings through Kate Richardson, who is my (fantastic!) constituency coordinator (she also works with Virginia Hinch, D8 Councillor-elect.)
Take care,
Laura