Shelters are opening their doors to more Nova Scotians to help keep them safe as cooler temperatures stabilize in the region.
They are adding beds and extending hours this weekend to make sure no one is left out in the cold. environment canada issued a extreme cold There is a warning for the entire province that temperatures are expected to feel dangerously low at -43 on Friday night.
Beacon House emergency Shelter 125 Metropolitan Avenue in Lower Sackville is one of many that have opened their doors to welcome more people outside than the cold.
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Board member Jim Gunn says the shelter has doubled its capacity for the weekend in response to the drop in temperatures.
“With the new 20 more beds being moved on Thursday,” he says, “we are able to double our capacity and continue serving people in the city who could not find shelter because the city is overloaded.”
Gunn says buses are helping bring people from the city to the Sackville shelter and others at HRM to make sure they are warm and safe.
He says that no one will be turned away.
“We’re prepared to take over 40 if we have to,” he says. “It would be hard to turn someone away – we don’t want to.”
Joy Knight, executive director of employment assistance and income support with the Department of Community Services, says several shelters have expressed a willingness to help.
“That’s the amazing thing about people doing things,” she says. “They will do whatever they can to make sure people are supported. We’re listening across the region.
She says the department worked with partners and front-line workers to meet demand during the cold snap, opening warming centers and expanding capacity at shelters, including extra hours and more beds.
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“We’ve made sure there’s potential in the field for far more than the known numbers,” says Knight. “So anyone who comes forward who isn’t on our radar has a safe place to go.”
She says it is estimated there are around 100 people sleeping rough in the Halifax area and they need the support of an emergency weather plan.
Shelter Nova Scotia encourages anyone in need of help to call 211 for information on shelter locations and warming centres.
Gunn says for people who have been living a harsh life, walking through the doors of a shelter is a huge relief.
“You can tell they are happy to be here and a pleasure to take care of them.”
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He adds that pets are also welcome with their owners.
“We learned from our own experience this year how important pets are to those out in the cold and hungry,” says Gunn. “The pets we understand help now.”
Halifax Search and Rescue says its vehicles will be off the streets this weekend to help police track down anyone who is missing.
It is expected that the mercury will start rising from Saturday afternoon.
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