Halifax’s Homeless Crisis: Statistics, Costs, and Solutions

Key Insights

The Affordable Housing Association of Canada indicates that 3,295 individuals in Halifax identify as experiencing homelessness. Statistics from The Homeless Hub indicate that 25% of Nova Scotians are food insecure. In another report by The Homeless Hub, it is also shown that Halifax has 586 homeless individuals while Cape Breton has 325 homeless individuals. Zumper depicts the way Halifax’s median rent point has reached $2,200, a 12% increase compared to the country’s median of approximately $1,964. The Homelessness in Halifax Regional Municipality Point-in-Time Count 2022 reveals that Indigenous individuals account for 22% of homeless individuals in Halifax.

The Affordable Housing Association of Canada reports that homelessness in Halifax persists, with 3,295 people listed as homeless as of March 5, 2025, which is 20 more people than the previous week’s total of 3,275.

Actively homeless persons reached 1,140, showing a 3-person rise from 1,137. Thirteen persons and families moved into homes, five relapsed to homelessness, and nine went inactive, reflecting constant instability in housing.

The population in sheltered homelessness, including those residing in emergency shelters, hotels, and motels, dropped by 10 people from 636 to 626. 

This decrease may indicate that some individuals moved into stable housing, though it could also reflect a shift into hidden homelessness rather than permanent solutions.

Meanwhile, unsheltered homelessness, which includes people in encampments and outdoor spaces, remained unchanged at 216 individuals.

However, hidden homelessness, involving people residing in hospitals, treatment programs, jails, or couch surfing, increased by 10 individuals, rising from 253 to 263. 

This trend suggests a growing issue, as many individuals in this category are not immediately served by emergency shelters.

As a result, the chronic homeless population grew by one person, increasing from 703 to 704. 

Similarly, the tri-morbid population, those with co-occurring health issues such as mental illness, substance abuse, and chronic disease, rose from 169 to 170 individuals.

Causes of Homelessness in Halifax

Data from The Homeless Hub and Spring provide a clear overview of the homelessness situation in Halifax, helping stakeholders track trends and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.

Food insecurity, static wages, and inflation have placed many residents at a disadvantage to pay for simple essentials. 

25% of Nova Scotians are food insecure, a 22% jump from 2022 to 2023, signaling the escalating cost-of-living crisis. 

Meanwhile, minimum wages have failed to keep up with inflation, forcing individuals to work 61 hours per week at minimum wage just to afford a one-bedroom apartment.

The lack of affordable housing and widespread renovictions worsen the crisis, as 19,565 families in Halifax pay over 50% of their income in rent, and 40,000 families pay over 30% of their income in housing expenses. 

The need for public housing continues to greatly outweigh supply, as 1,617 individuals are on the waitlist, putting numerous individuals in unstable living situations. There is also an estimated 14,000 more affordable units required to meet the existing deficit.

Furthermore, landlords persist in employing renovictions – kicking out tenants in the name of renovations and then raising rents considerably. 

However, some groups are even more vulnerable. Almost 60% of homeless youth in Canada have aged out of the child welfare system and are without sufficient support, making them more likely to encounter homelessness. 

Single parents and women are also disproportionately impacted, with 85% of low-income, single-parent families in Halifax being female-led. 

Comparison of Homeless in Nova Scotia: Halifax and Cape Breton

A report by the Homeless Hub shows how Cape Breton and Halifax, both part of Nova Scotia, have major problems in dealing with homelessness. 

Halifax, being the larger metropolitan area, had 586 homeless people compared to 325 homeless persons in Cape Breton. 

As for shelter status, 70% of Halifax’s homeless population was in shelters or facility settings, with 410 people in shelters and 85 in facility settings like hospitals, treatment centers, or correctional facilities. 

Cape Breton had only 20% of its homeless population in shelters, with a greater proportion experiencing provisional or unsheltered homelessness. 

Both cities experienced significant Indigenous overrepresentation among the homeless. 22% of Halifax’s homeless population identified as Indigenous, compared to 14.3% in Cape Breton.

LGBTQ2S+ representation was also much greater in Halifax (15%) than in Cape Breton (1.9%), indicating varying support systems and discrimination-related housing issues.

Gender representation also varied between the two cities. Women comprised 49% of Cape Breton’s homeless population, while 33% of Halifax’s homeless were women. 

These differences in their homeless demographics could be representative of differences in access to services and social factors of housing instability between the two areas.

High Cost of Living in Halifax

Zumper illustrates how Halifax’s rental market remains in high demand and increasing prices, with low vacancy rates and limited housing supply pushing costs higher. 

Halifax’s median rent level has hit $2,200, up 12% from the national median of about $1,964, leading to growing affordability issues for many residents.

Rent levels have varied by unit size, but larger units have seen the greatest increases overall. Four-bedroom apartments have increased by 293% in the last year, with an average rent of $3,733 per month. 

Meanwhile, three-bedroom apartments fell 27% to $2,832. Two-bedroom apartments fell 13% to an average rent of $2,491, and studio apartments fell 4% to $1,634. 

One-bedroom apartments were unchanged at $2,009 over the last 30 days but down 1% over the last year.

Retal rates also differ by housing type. Apartments have risen 10% in the last 30 days, averaging $2,205, while condos ($2,097) and homes ($2,500) have fallen 16% and 2%, respectively. 

Neighborhood-specific rent trends also point to affordability disparities within Halifax. 

Downtown Halifax is still the priciest neighborhood, with rents at $2,864 per month, which is 46% above the national median of $1,964. 

Less expensive options are Clayton Park ($2,088) and Fairview ($2,078), though these are still 6% and 5% above the national median, respectively. 

Other regions, like Dartmouth Centre ($2,363) and Timberlea ($2,394), also exceed the national median by 20% and 22%, which is consistent with the city-wide rental growth.

These higher rental costs demonstrate increased demand and limited supply, placing greater financial strain on tenants. 

Without new affordable housing construction and policy action, Halifax rents are projected to continue climbing, making it increasingly difficult for low- and middle-income families to maintain secure housing.

Demographic Breakdown of Homelessness in Halifax

The Homelessness in Halifax Regional Municipality Point-in-Time Count 2022 shows notable differences among various groups experiencing homelessness in the city.

Indigenous Overrepresentation 

Indigenous people comprise 22% of homeless persons in Halifax, even though they are considerably underrepresented within the city overall. 

This relative overrepresentation within homelessness statistics can be attributed to entrenched systemic issues such as intergenerational trauma, dislocation, and exclusion from housing stability.

Moreover, Indigenous peoples are in higher danger of experiencing homelessness because of reasons such as discrimination in housing, lower average income, and fewer culturally appropriate support services.

Gender Disparities 

Men comprise 65% of Halifax’s homeless population, and women represent 33%. 

The larger proportion of male homelessness is consistent with patterns found in other municipalities, where men are more frequently chronically homeless and face more difficulties in accessing shelter services.

However, homeless women tend to have specific difficulties, such as an increased risk of concealed homelessness. Women often use unconventional lodging like couch surfing or living with friends or family to stay away from homeless shelters. 

Women are also more likely to become homeless because of domestic violence or family disintegration.

LGBTQS+ Representation 

LGBTQ2S+ people make up 15% of Halifax’s homeless population, which is a substantial percentage given their overall lower proportion of the general population. 

Moreover, LGBTQ2S+ people experience housing insecurity as a result of family rejection, discrimination, and the absence of welcoming shelter spaces.

The greater vulnerability to homelessness among LGBTQ2S+ people is widely documented, with Statistics Canada indicating that they are disproportionately impacted by poverty, mental health issues, and barriers to employment. 

In the absence of safe and affirming accommodations, many LGBTQ2S+ people are at higher risk for extended homelessness and exposure to violence and exploitation.

Costs and Consequences

Data from the Homeless Hub Canada shows that Halifax homelessness puts a large economic strain on public systems, with yearly expenditures per person estimated at between $30,000 and $54,000. 

These costs arise largely from emergency shelter services, health care, and contact with the justice system, which offer temporary solutions rather than lasting fixes. 

The city’s dependence on these expensive interventions demonstrates the importance of sustainable housing strategies in curbing its overall public expenditure.

For example, emergency shelters are one of the biggest expense categories, with total yearly costs amounting to as much as $20,000 per individual. 

These costs include payments for staffing, operations, and short-term housing. However, these shelters do not provide a way out of homelessness, resulting in continued costs.

Furthermore, healthcare expenses also burden public spending since most homeless individuals need recurrent medical treatment because of chronic conditions, exposure-based illnesses, and mental issues. 

The price of hospital visits and emergency treatment contributes an estimated $10,000 to $12,000 per individual each year, further burdening Halifax’s healthcare system.

Meanwhile, the justice system also faces additional expenses due to the higher likelihood of homeless individuals encountering law enforcement, attending court hearings, and spending time in incarceration for minor infractions.

These encounters cost another $7,000 to $9,000 per year per person, adding up to the broader economic burden on the city.

Despite all these exorbitant costs, emergency measures are still the default strategy for addressing homelessness in Halifax. 

Interventions and Solutions to Homelessness in Halifax

The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness, with an emphasis on partnership, emergency assistance, and permanent housing. 

Several of these shelters provide electricity, running water, showers, laundry facilities, meals, and secure storage, in addition to on-site support in helping individuals move into stable housing.

The HRM has also established outdoor sheltering sites for individuals experiencing homelessness. The sites are meant to be temporary shelters for individuals until they may be moved indoors or find more permanent shelter. 

Municipal employees frequently visit these sites to deliver services and monitor conditions, thereby providing some kind of support to people residing outdoors.

In February 2023, the HRM also adopted a strategic framework that defines four priority municipal roles in handling homelessness. 

The municipality makes supporting people sleeping outdoors its top priority, followed by supporting precariously housed families, public education on homelessness issues, and promoting affordable housing development. 

In support of these initiatives, the HRM has actively pursued new sheltering opportunities, such as leasing private lands for short-term housing and identifying municipal land for encampments.

As shortages and affordability issues in housing continue, the HRM continues to shift its policies and increase resources to assist those at risk of, or who are experiencing, homelessness. 

The Future of Homelessness in Halifax

Halifax homelessness is likely to keep increasing as a result of ongoing housing affordability problems, increased rental prices, and shelter shortages. 

Despite government efforts to expand shelter capacity and implement temporary encampments, demand continues to exceed available resources. 

Halifax’s reliance on emergency shelters, healthcare services, and the justice system will likely lead to continued high public expenditures, with costs per person estimated between $30,000 and $54,000 per year.

Without dramatic investments in low-cost housing, rent control, and permanent assistance programs, homelessness in Halifax is likely to rise. 

Long-term policy shifts and sustainable housing solutions will be essential in avoiding further increases in homelessness and decreasing dependence on expensive emergency measures.

References

• Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia. (n.d.). A place to call home: A strategy to address homelessness in Halifax. Retrieved from https://www.ahans.ca/_files/ugd/282dfd_c435c69422fd4124a07382eba538f23f.pdf
• Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (n.d.). Halifax community profile. The Homeless Hub. Retrieved from https://homelesshub.ca/community_profile/halifax/
• Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (n.d.). Sydney (Cape Breton) community profile. The Homeless Hub. Retrieved from https://homelesshub.ca/community_profile/sydney-cape-breton/
• Downtown Halifax Business Commission. (2022). 2022 Point-in-Time count: Understanding homelessness in Halifax. Retrieved from https://downtownhalifax.ca/sites/default/files/2022-10/2022%20Point-in-Time%20Count%20_FINAL.pdf
• Government of Canada. (2020). LGBTQ2+ people in Canada may be more vulnerable to challenges related to COVID-19. Statistics Canada. Retrieved from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/1535-lbgtq2-people-canada-may-be-more-vulnerable-challenges-related-covid-19
• Halifax Regional Municipality. (2024). Helping address homelessness: Municipal approach. Retrieved from https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/regional-community-planning/helping-address-homelessness
• Halifax Regional Municipality. (2024). Homelessness response update (July 9, 2024). Retrieved from https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/240709rc1519.pdf
• Spring Magazine. (2024). Homelessness in Halifax worsens as Houston government ignores the crisis. Retrieved from https://springmag.ca/homelessness-in-halifax-worsens-houston-government-ignores-the-crisis
• The Homeless Hub. (n.d.). Understanding homelessness in Canada. Retrieved from https://homelesshub.ca/
• Zumper. (2024). Halifax, NS rent trends and statistics. Retrieved from https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/halifax-ns