Dartmouth Campground Ends Winter Stay Option for RV Residents

Residents living in RVs at the Dartmouth Campground will no longer have winter accommodation as the Halifax Regional Municipality announces the end of the seasonal option. This decision has caused significant concern among those who relied on this program for shelter.

Dartmouth Campground Winter Stay Ending

The Shubie Campground, located in Dartmouth, is the only fully serviced campground within the city’s limits. For the past three years, it had offered winter accommodations for residents without traditional housing. This included access to essential services such as electricity, snow removal, and sewage services.

William Fleet, 64, a longtime resident of the campground, expressed his frustrations regarding the sudden change. Living on a fixed income of $900 a month, he feels that finding alternative housing is nearly impossible. “You try living with that,” he remarked, emphasizing the challenges faced by many low-income individuals.

Concerns from Residents

Fleet is not alone in his worries. Many RV residents are now faced with uncertainty as they must vacate the campground by the end of the month. Paul Chiasson, another resident who has utilized the winter program, also shared his disappointment. Surviving on approximately $1,000 monthly due to an injury that prevents him from working, Chiasson sees the RV as his only feasible living option.

• Shubie Campground offered winter stays at $250 per month.
• The program aimed to provide temporary housing options for residents.
• Residents were required to leave the park during the summer season.

Impact of the Program’s Termination

The cancellation of the winter stay program leaves many to seek alternate arrangements. The letter sent to residents noted that this initiative was always intended as a temporary solution to assist individuals until they could transition to more permanent housing. The municipality aims to support the displaced residents by connecting them with professionals who can help navigate their housing options.

Despite previous funding from the provincial Department of Opportunities and Social Development, totaling $180,000 for operational costs, the city has decided to discontinue this critical support. This decision underscores the growing housing crisis affecting vulnerable populations, particularly among older Canadians.

As the end of the winter program approaches, residents like Fleet and Chiasson lament the lack of alternative solutions. “Why there’s so many homeless and so much of this, yet you’re supposed to be better off?” Fleet questioned, highlighting the distressing reality faced by many individuals within the community.

The future remains uncertain for those who depended on the Dartmouth Campground during the winter months. The support provided in the past emphasized a need that many feel has not been adequately addressed by local authorities.