Still no space alloted for pallet shelters
TRURO – No parcel of land has been designated for the pallet shelters the province announced for Truro in October 2023.
The shelters—miniature homes that can provide a private space for unhoused people—had been announced for Truro alongside other areas across the province to help them get through the winter.
Unfortunately for the unhoused in Truro, no such shelters were ever put in place.
Saltwire reported in December 2023 that the Truro Housing Outreach Society (THOS), which has been working alongside the province and the municipality to develop housing strategies, considered one parcel of land— the old hospital site located on Willow Street. The
nd province slated this site for development, and the Department of Public Works hired Strum Engineering to develop a master plan.
In an emailed statement on April 25, THOS executive director Krista Mcnair confirmed there has been no change since December.
"Unfortunately, the province does not have an appropriate parcel of land available for pallet shelters at this time," said Mcnair.
The Department of Community Services also responded to a request for comment on the matter.
"The Department of Community Services continues to work closely with our partners and service providers in the creation of shelter villages, and we are exploring locations that would be suitable across the province," said a spokesperson in an emailed statement on April 26. "We will share more information as details are confirmed."
The department affirmed that additional funding for shelter space in the Truro area was administered in February of this year in partnership with Souls Harbour Rescue Mission and THOS. The province is also working on both short-term and longterm options province-wide for unhoused people.