First Pallet Village location in Nova Scotia planned for Lower Sackville

Nova Scotians experiencing homelessness will soon have a new shelter option with the first Pallet village opening at Beacon House in Lower Sackville.

The charitable organization will provide operational and wraparound supports for people living in 19 Pallet units. Pallet is a North American leader in rapid-response shelter villages designed and built by people with lived experience.

“Solutions are often not as simple as finding someone an available apartment. There are many who need more than a home for stability. This could mean treatment for addiction, harm reduction services, mental health care or more,” said Trevor Boudreau, Minister of Community Services. “It is our goal to provide sheltering options that help people on the road to more permanent supportive housing options, and Pallet is another step on the path.”

The units are expected to arrive in late January. Once assembled, they will be connected to power and water; final preparations will include installing fencing around the site before residents move in.

People living in encampments will be given priority and service providers and outreach workers will continue to work with people experiencing homelessness to determine which shelter option best meets their needs.

The Department is working with partners/service providers to set up more villages in the coming months:

• 30 Pallet units on Henry Street in Sydney, with Ally Centre and New Dawn Enterprises
• 20 Pallet units at 70 Exhibition St., Kentville, with Open Arms Resource Centre
• an undetermined number of Pallet units at the Halifax Forum, 6210 Young St., with 902 Man Up.

Timing will be announced once locations have been surveyed.

The units purchased by the Province are single occupancy. Residents will have access to meals, transportation, washroom and laundry facilities, and supports and services to transition to permanent housing. Service providers for all villages will provide additional services like health and employment supports based on residents’ needs.

In preparation, the Department will continue working closely with partners including the departments of Public Works and Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Office of the Fire Marshal, service providers, Nova Scotia Power, Halifax Water and municipalities.