The federal government wants to use the 86-acre Shannon Park land for temporary housing.

Tony Mancini, councillor for the area, says he’s frustrated because Dartmouth has already taken on its share of dealing with homelessness through shelters.

“However, we are in a crisis when it comes to homelessness. So when Shannon Park is being identified, potentially, we have to at least look at it.”

A development was previously approved for the area. The Canada Lands Company wants to build 3,000 residential units on the former military land. The land would be used for temporary housing ahead of the start of that development.

In the budget, the federal government allotted $4 million over two years to support the Canada Lands Company to create modular housing projects in four places:

• Shannon Park, Dartmouth, N.S.
• Village at Griesbach, Edmonton, Alta.
• Downsview, Toronto, Ont.
• Wellington Basin, Montréal, Que.

Modular housing

Mancini says that there may be confusion around what type of housing goes on the area.

Although the municipality has considered putting temporary shelters, like Pallets, on the land, the government is looking at something else.

Modular housing would be mini homes, pre-made homes that “are just dropped on the site,” he says.

But Mancini says it’s important to learn from the reaction to other shelters, like the Beacon House Shelter in Lower Sackville.

Community engagement

Some residents near that shelter were unhappy and concerned for the safety of students at a nearby school.

“You need to engage the community or engage the shareholders,” he says.

Community services minister Brendan Maguire says there may be some opposition to temporary housing. But he says housing and support services help people become success stories, and other shelters have proven that.

“We want to make sure the people that are living there are safe. We want to make sure the communities are safe,” says Maguire.

He says consultation with the municipality has already begun, but it’s in the early stages.

Housing minister John Lohr says it seems like the federal government wants to work with the province and Halifax Regional Municipality.

“But honestly, we’ve not received any information or documentation on that,” Lohr says.

However, he says he’s glad the government is looking to use the land.