Halifax Forum shelter receives funds to stay open [Video]

Nova Scotia announced Wednesday people experiencing homelessness will continue to have 24/7 access to shelter space in the Halifax Forum’s multi-purpose centre, free of charge, for another year.

The province is spending $5.4 million to cover the costs associated with running the shelter, including staff, utilities, food, repairs, security and maintenance from Sept. 1 until the end of August 2025. In addition to providing the space, HRM will cover the costs of shelter, showers and in-kind property maintenance such as garbage collection and snow clearing. The budget includes increased security expenses.

Jill Balsar is the acting minister of Community Services. She said emergency options need to be available while longer-term transitional and supportive housing are being built.

“902 ManUp and HRM continue to be critical partners as we work together to support people experiencing homelessness in the city,” Balser said.

902 ManUp is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 2016 in response to the increase in community violence. The organization …