Community sessions to focus on housing

Sessions are part of examination of housing in five-plus counties in western N.S.

As part of a project that’s looking at the region’s housing situation, community engagement sessions are to be held in the tricounties.

Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Family Centre in Digby and Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Parents’ Place in Yarmouth.

As of late last week, details for the Shelburne session had yet to be announced.

The sessions are a chance for people to join a “community conversation about safe and affordable housing,” according to promotional material. “Tell us your stories and experiences.”

The sessions are part of an examination of the housing picture in a major section of western Nova Scotia.

An initiative involving housing coalitions and other groups in partnership with Public Health, the project is looking at housing in Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis and Kings counties, as well as West Hants.

The project began in the fall of 2017 with a housing survey for the general public, followed by two more surveys: one for service providers and community volun- teers, the other for stakeholders, contractors, landlords, realtors, developers etc.

The process of analyzing the survey data continues.

Those involved in the project say the information will be used to highlight housing needs.

“It also will inform municipal-

The project began in the fall of 2017 with a housing survey for the general public, followed by two more surveys: one for service providers and community volunteers, the other for stakeholders, contractors, landlords, realtors, developers etc.

ities, builders, service providers and others about what would help people find and keep the housing they need,” said the introduction to the public survey that was carried out last fall.

The Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre in Wolfville was contracted for survey digitization, data collection and analysis.

As for the community engagement sessions, childcare and snacks will be provided.