HALIFAX – There are people in Halifax living without homes. And according to Community Action on Homelessness (CAH) the number of people living without homes in Halifax is only increasing. It is with this in mind that CAH is hosting Halifax Housing Week, a week long opportunity to celebrate the successful homelessness projects and programs that were realized over the last 10 years while also thinking about and planning for the solutions of the future.
The CAH understands that the causes of homelessness are complex and numerous, and the solutions are community driven. This is why they are inviting the Halifax community to take some time this week to think and share ideas on the possibilities of how to generate and maintain safe and affordable housing. So, get out there and educate yourself, educate others and work towards sustainable results – there are PLENTY of opportunities:
Today, Thursday October 13 at Scotia Square there will be The “Other” Home Show where community-based organizations will showcase their supportive housing programmes & affordable housing options, local businesses will introduce their products & services and visitors will be able to learn about local social services aswell as career and volunteer opportunities.
WHAT: The ‘Other’ Home Show
WHEN: Thursday October 14th 11am-3pm
WHERE: Scotia Square, Halifax
HOW MUCH: Free
Tomorrow, the Public Good Society of Dartmouth will be organizing a workshop called No Place Like Home where representatives from the North End Community Health Centre, New Beginnings, Affirmative Industries, Elizabeth Fry Society and Supportive Housing for Young Mothers will be sharing facts and exploring workable doable solutions.
WHAT: Workshop ‘No Place Like Home’
WHEN: Friday October 15th 9am to noon
WHERE: Christ Church Hall, Dartmouth (near the corner of Dundas & Ochterloney Streets)
HOW MUCH: Free
On Saturday, in the commons, the NS Common Front for Housing is asking concerned community members to create a tent city to bring attention to the lack of affordable housing in Nova Scotia.
WHAT: Common Front for Housing Tent City
WHEN: Saturday October 16, 3pm
WHERE: Halifax Commons
HOW MUCH: Free
The week will finish off on Sunday which is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty beginning with a rally at the North Commons that will make its way to the Alderney Landing Theatre where there will be speakers and exhibitions of programs and services.
WHAT: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Rally
WHEN: Sunday October 17th 11am
WHERE: North Commons
HOW MUCH: Free (speech)
Later that night there will be a film screening of Miss Homeless – a black comedy docu-fiction, in which most of the actors are homeless and improvising scenes taken from their lives. The film portrays women struggling in the margin of society and their fight to be heard in a world that doesn’t seem to care.
WHAT: Film screening ‘Miss Homeless’
WHEN: Sunday October 17th 8pm
WHERE: Carbon Arc, the Khyber, 1588 Barrington Street
HOW MUCH: Free
Photo by See-ming Lee