Shelter Nova Scotia | Our Facilities

Community Support Programs

The Community Trustee Program provides financial management, advocacy, and stability supports for individuals across Halifax facing barriers related to income management, housing stability, and system navigation. The program helps clients maintain housing, prevent eviction, and access essential services through consistent, relationship-based support.

This past year, the program supported 164 unique individuals. More than half have been engaged for five years or longer, reflecting both the complexity of need and the importance of sustained support. Nearly 50% of clients are aged 55 and over, highlighting growing demand among older adults living on fixed incomes.

Some of the ways in which we support our clients include:

Assistance with government forms, applications, and administrative processes
Support with rental subsidy applications and ongoing eligibility
Negotiation with landlords and utility providers to establish manageable repayment plans
Connection to essential services such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan, heating rebates, and disability supports
ID replacement support, including access to health cards and birth certificates
Tax filing support through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

Est. 2010

As individuals transition to independent housing, our Housing Support program assists with locating and maintaining housing and reducing the potential risks for re-entering homelessness. Regular visits provide the opportunity for former guests to address the underlying causes of past trauma, which have often been a contributing factor in their experience of homelessness. In addition to monthly scheduled visits, former emergency shelter guests supported by the program often seek assistance navigating crises; request advocacy for tenant related concerns as well as landlord concerns; assistance with food security; employment, and programming.

Our ability to foster healthy and positive relationships with property owners and managers better position our Housing Support team to aid guests in receiving the interventions and resources that they need on their journey to exit homelessness permanently. With immediate needs met, people are able to move forward in seeking employment, education, volunteer endeavors, or other areas which bring fulfilment and contribute to overall health and wellness.

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