The Province offered more than $430,000 to Viola’s Place in New Glasgow to hire an additional
housing support worker, expand shelter services and add shelter beds.
With the funding, the shelter can extend its hours from evenings and overnight to 24-hour access to staff and supports, providing more flexibility for people in need of assistance and allowing staff to help more people. Staff will work with guests staying at the shelter to develop plans, including housing support and trustee services, and to support the transition to permanent housing.
This funding will also cover one-time expenses for renovation costs to increase the number of co-ed beds to 20 from eight.
Viola’s Place Society is a part of the shelter diversion program to help address homelessness in rural Nova Scotia. Earlier this year, the society received $20,000 in diversion funding for eviction prevention interventions and to help people secure housing. This funding can also be used for emergency short-term hotel stays when other resources such as shelter beds are not available to meet the need.