Nova Scotia Exploring Relocation for Kentville Emergency Shelter Amid Infrastructure Concerns
Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian announced that the provincial government is considering alternative sites for the Open Arms Oasis Emergency Shelter. The move follows reports of significant strain on local infrastructure and public safety, with police data indicating a high volume of calls linked to the shelter's downtown location.
Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian has confirmed that the Nova Scotia provincial government is actively exploring potential alternative sites for the Open Arms Resource Centre’s Oasis Emergency Shelter. The facility is currently located on Bridge Street in downtown Kentville, a placement that has drawn increasing scrutiny from municipal leaders.
The announcement comes after Mayor Zebian held weekly meetings with representatives from the provincial Department of Opportunities and Social Development and the Open Arms Resource Centre to address concerns regarding the shelter's location. While the province has agreed that the current site is not ideal, no specific timeline for relocation has been established.
Municipal officials cite significant pressure on town infrastructure and public safety as primary drivers for the review. According to statistics from the Kentville Police Service, approximately 35 per cent of police calls during July and August involved the downtown core, with most incidents linked to the Open Arms shelter or its clients. Additionally, town staff frequently report cleaning up messes left by shelter clients in public spaces, including broken glass, needles, drug paraphernalia, and personal hygiene products.
Under existing zoning laws, the Open Arms shelter is grandfathered, meaning the municipality lacks the legal authority to force it to close or move through local tools. Only the provincial government holds the power to shut down the facility, change providers, or relocate it.
This development coincides with a broader shift in provincial housing policy. On Sept. 23, the government announced a new model for supportive housing, launching an expression of interest for projects in Kings, Lunenburg, and Pictou counties. As part of this transition, provincial funding for the Northstar-operated emergency shelter in New Glasgow will end following a 90-day period. The Department of Opportunities and Social Development stated they are working with partners to strengthen housing supports across the region.