People facing homelessness are receiving help to put a roof over their heads from the Province.
The government says the master lease program is moving people out from emergency hotel shelters and into supportive housing.
The Province covers the lease directly from landlords and subleases to residents, with the goal of them eventually taking over their own lease.
In the meantime, tenants pay 30 per cent of their income in rent and build their rental history.
“A home is so much more than four walls. It’s where kids do their homework, where parents cook dinner, and where people find their calm at the end of the day,” said Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, Barbara Adams.
“We know hotel stays can be a lifeline for those in need. While it is a short-term solution for people experiencing homelessness, it was never meant for long-term stays. The master lease program is helping to shift hotel stays back to its intended purpose – an emergency response – while providing more people with the comforts of a home.”
Over the past year, the number of people staying in provincially funded hotel rooms has gone down from 251 to 36, which is an 86 per cent decrease.
There are around 320 units under this program across Nova Scotia, which is expected to grow in the upcoming months.
The master lease program provides housing options for people experiencing homelessness, including youth, women and children fleeing violence, people discharged from hospital and people who have a criminal record.
The supportive housing units provide residents with independence, a sense of community, mental and physical healthcare support, substance-use treatment, life skills and job readiness programs, and access to food and other essentials.
