We are experiencing extreme temperatures this weekend. As of writing frostbite warnings are in effect and meteorologists are forecasting temperatures that feel like -35 to -45 with wind chill. I am deeply concerned about the wellbeing of the large number of houseless residents in downtown Dartmouth.
The Province has expanded the available services for those experiencing homelessness for this weekend. The full listing of resources throughout the province can be found on the Department of Community Services' Facebook page and Twitter account. Of course, most people in need of these services don't have regular access to social media, but please share if you know someone who may be in need of shelter. The Province will disseminate the information through libraries, food banks, organizations that provide meals, and any others who have relationships as well as 211 and 311.
In HRM, 902 Man Up is adding bed capacity to Christ Church and North Park Street and extending hours. North Park Street will be open Friday at 5 pm until Sunday at 9 am. Christ Church will continue to operate overnight as a men’s only shelter, 8 pm to 8 am. 902 Man Up will also open and staff a warming centre for people experiencing homelessness at St. Matthew’s Church on Barrington Street, which will be open Friday at 5 pm to Sunday at 9 am. The Province is working with HRM to arrange bus pick ups to take people to shelter spaces.
Phoenix Youth Programs made a very handy reference, which I've shared below. If you know anyone how might need this information, please share it.
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Nova Scotia Power:
As temperatures plunge and thermostats rise, the UARB's decision to approve a 14% price increase over the next two years, effective yesterday, will hit Nova Scotians hard. We already pay some of the highest power rates in the country and this rate hike will literally leave many Nova Scotians in the cold.
We can't afford not to invest in renewable energy, and the thousands of Nova Scotians who already can't afford to heat their homes can't wait another day for a low income energy program. My colleagues and I will continue to push for long-term changes to our regulatory framework that would ensure affordable, reliable, and clean energy for all Nova Scotians.
If you are struggling to afford heat, power, or other bills and you are a senior make sure to apply to the Seniors Care Grant.
All Nova Scotians who earned under $85,000 last year are eligible to apply for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP):
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HARP
If you made a total household income of $85,000 or less in 2021 and pay for your own heat, you should be eligible for $1,000 of support from the Heating Assistance Rebate Program. This program was expanded this year. If you already received the $200, you will receive a top up in 2-8 weeks. You don't have to re-apply. More FAQ below.
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Housing
As the housing crisis grows, we were pleased to hear the Deputy Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs comment last week that more Public Housing could be on the docket in the near future. Truly affordable housing is desperately needed, and after several community meetings over the last months with Dartmouth community members and residents' associations, it's clear that the community is behind it.
Of course, this still doesn't address the urgent need so many have for immediate shelter. Out of the Cold reported this Tuesday they were supporting another three newly-houseless individuals by setting up tents in the snow. The temperature will drop to -25 degrees this week. If you know someone experiencing houselessness, please connect them with Welcome Housing and/or Shelter Nova Scotia. Housing clinics are held throughout HRM every day of the week which can help by:
- Making referrals to the by-name list and public housing
- Support with power arrears
- Support filling out housing applications
- Information on low-income housing
- Resource navigation & creating housing plans
Schedule
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MONDAY
Shelter Nova Scotia
5506 Cunard--Suite 101, Halifax
1pm-4pm
No appointment necessary
TUESDAY
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre
2158 Gottingen St, Halifax
9am-12pm
Drop in or via phone: 902-420-0576
No appointment necessary
WEDNESDAY
North Grove Family Resource Centre
6 Primrose St, Dartmouth
9am-12pm
In person or over the phone
Appointment necessary.
Call: 902-464-8234
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THURSDAY
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre
2158 Gottingen St, Halifax
9am-12pm
Drop in, no appointment required
Welcome Housing Drop in, no appointment required
Alderney Landing Library
60 Alderney Dr., Dartmouth
9:30am-12pm
Captain William Spryfield Public Library
16 Sussex St., Halifax
11am-2pm
FRIDAY
MOSH Housing & ADSUM
107 Albro Lake Rd, Dartmouth
10am-2pm
Pre-book appointment for in person or over the phone: 902-423-1687
YWCA
114 Ochterloney St., Dartmouth
1pm-3pm
In person/phone/virtual - appointment required: 902-410-8766
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In the meantime, local organizations are picking up the slack and trying their best with limited resources to support people facing houselessness, many of whom are also facing barriers due to mental health and addiction struggles. If you're in a position to support any of these organizations, here are a few to choose from in the HRM:
- Adsum for Women and Children: shelters and houses as many as 170 people each day and more than 350 persons in a year, at an Adsum location. Hundreds more are supported in the community, by the housing team, to find safe and affordable homes with ongoing services for stable housing, food, clothing and connection.
- Alice House provides opportunities for women and their children to create a life free from intimate partner violence by offering safe housing, counselling, and support services.
- Barry House is a shelter for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness. We offer support services from a client-centred approach. Women are welcome to bring their domestic pets.
- Bryony House is a 24-bed shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Counsellors answer the 24-hour distress line, provide individual/group supportive counselling, public education, advocacy and referrals.
- Elizabeth Fry Society: a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to improving the lives of marginalized groups of identified women, girls, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals who have been let down by a broken justice system that perpetuates inequality.
- Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre offers housing services to Indigenous people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or eviction in the HRM area.
- Metro Turning Point is a shelter for men experiencing homelessness 16+, trans-inclusive.
- Nisa Homes welcomes women fleeing domestic violence, and the focus will be supporting Muslim, immigrant, refugee and non-status women.
- Out of the Cold: Besides on-the-ground outreach, this team has been successfully managing the modular units at Church St in Dartmouth. They support individuals (16+) and couples of all genders who are unhoused or precariously housed and experience a variety of barriers to housing.
- Phoenix Youth Shelter provides free, safe, emergency accommodations to youth ages 16-24. The Shelter supplies daily essentials (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) around the clock to youth who seek support.
- Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM): SHYM provides supportive housing, parenting support, and life skills development for at-risk young single mothers ages 16 to 24. SHYM is open to young mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy or who are independently parenting their child or children, and are in need of supportive housing. SHYM also provides housing for at-risk single mothers who are attending a post-secondary institution full-time.
- Welcome Housing & Support Services: helps individuals in the Halifax & Dartmouth area secure and keep housing. The level of support depends on the client. Housing Support Workers help clients complete apartment application forms, send paperwork to agencies, and communicate with landlords. Intensive Case Managers work with clients who may need more help, for longer. They can help clients set and meet goals, learn new skills, and support healthy choices about their health and mental health.
- Women in Supported Housing (WISH): WISH provides safe, secure, supported housing to 34 single women. The women at WISH are 19 and older and have experienced homelessness, and have barriers to stable housing.
Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics
The Province has finally expanded the scope of practice for pharmacists through a the community pharmacy primary care pilot program. Select pharmacies are now able to offer:
Assessment & Prescribing Services
- Prescription Renewals for all medications
- Uncomplicated bladder infections
- Shingles treatment
- Strep Throat
- Birth Control
- Medication Changes
- Lyme Disease Prevention
- Common & Minor Ailments: heartburn, thrush, yeast infections, cold sores, allergies, & more
Injection & Immunization Services
- Vaccines: Influenza, COVID-19, Shingles*, Hep A & B*, Meningitis*, HPV*, & more (*Fees may apply.)
- Medications: Vitamin B12, Birth Control, & more. Note: Prescription from another provider may be required for some injectable medications.
Chronic Disease Care
- Diabetes, Lung Disease, Heart Disease, & Blood Pressure
- CAMS (Warfarin patient IN testing & prescribing)
Mental Heath & Addiction Services
- Assessments: Medication, Mental Illness, Nicotine Dependence
- Injections: Opioid Addiction Treatment, Anti-psychotic medications
- Take home Naloxone Kits & Training
Dartmouth is lucky to have a pilot site at the Dartmouth Shoppers Drug Mart at 118 Wyse Road. To book an appointment call: 902-464-9644, select option 3, then option 4, or book online.
More information and details can be found at pans.ns.ca/cppcc.
Mobile Primary Care Clinics
One more health resource to add to my last newsletter is the Mobile Primary Care Clinics for those with out a family doctor. Care is provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, paramedics and other primary care providers who can address the following: |
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- Prescription refills or renewals (excluding prescriptions related to controlled substances)
- Mild strains/sprains
- Mild headaches
- Earaches
- Sore throat
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- Minor infections
- Skin and eye irritations
- Mild asthma
- Minor respiratory issues
- Cough, flu, or cold symptoms
- Urinary tract infections
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There will not be access to blood collection or diagnostic imaging (DI) services. There will be point of care testing available for strep throat, urinary tract infections, and some STIs. The clinic cannot address urgent or life-threatening concerns. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
Upcoming mobile clinics are announced at www.nshealth.ca/mobileprimarycare.
As well, the NSHA has created a "Where to go for healthcare" PDF that you can download here.
Penhorn Lake
If you live in the area, you may have noticed significant discolouration in Penhorn Lake last week. Councillor Sam Austin has been in contact with the President of Clayton Developments who are doing construction near the site. He reports they are working with their contractor on the issue. We have also contacted the Department of Environment who are involved.
Scam Aimed at Seniors
Halifax Regional Police and Halifax District RCMP have received a number of reports last week in relation to a scam intended to defraud seniors. In each incident, the victim received a call from someone pretending to be a family member who indicated that they have been arrested and are in jail. Another person representing themselves as being from the legal system becomes involved in the call and informs the victim that they need to pay money to have their loved one released from custody. In some of the cases, the suspects then made arrangements to pick up the money in person.
Police are advising citizens that police will never make this type of call. If you receive a call from someone representing themselves as a police officer and they request money for bail, this is a scam. Please don't provide or confirm any personal or financial information and hang up the phone.
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As always, if you need assistance, please reach out to my office ay 902-406-2301 or claudiachendermla@gmail.com.
Warmly,
Claudia
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NOW OPEN: Heating Assistance Rebate Program
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FAQ
What is the new eligibility? If you are single and live alone, your net 2021 income must be $85,000 or less to qualify for the new eligibility requirements. Families and households of two or more adults may qualify with a combined 2021 net income of $85,000 or less. You must also pay for your home heating costs.
How long will it take? Two to eight weeks.
I already applied for and received the rebate. Do I need to re-apply to get the additional money? No. Applicants who have already received the rebate will receive the extra amount by direct deposit or cheque, depending on how they received the initial amount.
I already applied this year and was denied. Should I apply again? No. We will be reviewing denied applications and granting the full rebate to eligible applicants who qualify as of January 30, 2023.
Who is eligible to receive the rebate? The Heating Assistance Rebate Program is open to Nova Scotian households who are responsible for heating costs and meet the following criteria:
- If you are single and live alone, your 2021 net income must be $85,000 or less. If you are applying as a household of two or more, your combined 2021 net income must be $85,000 or less.
- You are eligible if you receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada, or Income Assistance from the Department of Community Services.
- You need to be responsible for your home heat. You may be asked to provide a receipt showing that you pay for heat (oil, electricity, coal, wood, wood pellets, propane, natural gas, etc.).
- You may only get the rebate for one residential address. If you are a landlord or own a seasonal property, you may not claim for those addresses.
- You must apply for the program using this year's application form, or online at www.novascotia.ca/heatinghelp.
The program is available to individuals and families. Businesses and charitable organizations do not qualify.
If these changes take effect in January 2023, why is eligibility based on 2021 income? Canada Revenue Agency can only verify income from processed tax returns. If you don’t qualify based on your 2021 net income but expect your 2022 net income to be different, you may be able to qualify for the rebate later in the program.
If you can get your 2022 income taxes submitted and processed and provide us with Notices of Assessment for each adult before the March 31, 2023 application deadline, we will be able process your application.
Please note that your taxes must be processed; we cannot accept T4s or a copy of your tax return as proof of total household income.
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Two Vaccine Clinics in Dartmouth South:
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Thursday, February 9th from 1 – 4 pm
Woodlawn Public Library
31 Eisener Blvd. Dartmouth
Available vaccines:
- Pfizer 12+ Primary series
- Pfizer 5-12yrs
- Pfizer Bivalent 5+
- Flu vaccine will also be available
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Thursday, 16 February, 9am – 1pm
Christ Church Hall/ Food Bank
61 Dundas St., Dartmouth
Available vaccines:
- Pfizer 12+ Primary series
- Pfizer 5-12yrs
- Pfizer Bivalent 5+
- Flu vaccine will also be available
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Eligibility criteria: is available at nshealth.ca/coronavirusvaccine.
Other drop-in clinics: www.nshealth.ca/drop-in-vaccine-clinics
Please bring your health card number and ID if you have it.
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ENGAGE: HEALTH EQUITY FRAMEWORK FOR NOVA SCOTIA
Some people in Nova Scotia experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. The realities of systemic racism and discrimination are closely linked to these differences in health status. Some of the groups experiencing poorer health include, among others:
- Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous people
- African Nova Scotians and People of African descent
- 2SLGTBQIA+ people
- Disabled people
- Newcomers, immigrants, and refugees
- Historically underrepresented racialized groups
Nova Scotia’s Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is developing a Health Equity Framework with partners across the health system, to be released in July 2023. The Health Equity Framework is a requirement in NS Bill 96, The “Dismantling Racism and Hate Act”, passed in Spring 2022.
DHW and our health system partners are asking people, groups, and communities across the province to share their experiences with our health system – positive and negative. This will help us know what we need to include in the Health Equity Framework and will help our health system to become more trusted and effective for everyone it serves.
Take the survey.
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Community Services Recovery Fund
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United Way is one of three national funders for the federal government’s Community Services Recovery Fund. This $400 million fund will support community service organizations across Canada to aid in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Locally, United Way Halifax will be funding projects with a focus on program and service innovation and redesign. This is a tremendous opportunity for nonprofit and charitable organizations in our region. We encourage potential applicants to visit the CSRF website and complete the Where to Apply Questionnaire prior to submitting their application.
The deadline to apply is February 21. For more information, please visit communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca.
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PAID VOLUNTEER: Medical Transportation Program
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The Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre's Medical Transportation Program is in dire need of drivers. They are struggling to meet the increasing needs of our seniors.
They have 2-3 casual paid positions to fill. The hours vary from week to week, but the need is ever-increasing. Medical transportation drivers pick clients up from their homes, transport clients to medical appointments in the HRM and then return the clients to their homes.
Some details:
- Those with their own cars are preferred but a car is not mandatory
- Mileage reimbursement provided
- Valid Driver’s License
- Car Insurance up to date if applicable
- Background Check will be required
If you or someone you know is interested in helping, please forward your information to Pam Vaters: email director@dartmouthseniors.ca or call (902) 465-5578 ext 214
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Nova Scotia Environmental Network Biodiversity Caucus
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Are you passionate about protecting biodiversity? Our new caucus will unite individuals and organizations who share this common priority. We ask those who are interested to please complete this form to express your level of interest in joining the biodiversity caucus or find out more here.
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Dartmouth Community Health Team Programs & Services
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February is heart month. The best way to take care of your heart is to stay active, choose healthy foods more often and reduce stress. However, if it was that easy, we would all be doing it! There are many challenges that can get in people’s way. Don’t forget your Community Health Team is here to support you and your clients! Check out our free wellness programs and navigation services:
FREE FEBRUARY IN-PERSON WELLNESS PROGRAMS
FREE FEBRUARY ONLINE WELLNESS PROGRAMS
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