Outreach, Scattered Site Supportive Housing programs helping put roofs over headsPublished Aug 09, 2025Last updated 13 hours ago6 minute readFrom left, Open Arms director of operations Nick Haddock, Kings North MLA and Finance Minister John Lohr, Opportunities and Social Development Minister Scott Armstrong, Open Arms executive director Leanne Jennings, housing support worker Emme Manuel, and housing program manager Corey McBride pose for a photo at a July 31 event in Kentville celebrating progress made by Open Arms in addressing homelessness in the Annapolis Valley. Photo by KIRK STARRATT /PostmediaArticle contentProgress is being made as an Annapolis Valley organization works to fill gaps across the housing spectrum for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Open Arms Resource Centre celebrated the progress and impact of two government funded programs at an event in the Kentville fire hall auditorium on July 31.Article contentArticle contentThe Outreach Program and the Scattered Site Supportive Housing Program (SSSHP) both represent a significant step forward in addressing housing challenges in the Annapolis Valley.Article contentArticle contentThe event included a reading of testimonials from anonymous clients whose lives have been changed through program interventions.Article contentThe Outreach Program aims to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness, helping to guide them to existing community-based support while providing life-sustaining support.Article contentIt aims to prevent encampments, engage individuals through outreach, and connect them to housing and essential services.Article contentThe SSSHP provides intentional, client-focused support to individuals experiencing multiple barriers to housing. This includes support with meaningful daily activities, community integration, and accessing medical, mental health, and employment support.Article contentArticle contentThe innovative, evidence-based program provides intensive case management, 24/7 on-call support for participants and landlords, and in-home and community-based assistance.Article contentArticle contentOpportunities and Social Development Minister Scott Armstrong said organizations like Open Arms show how powerful rural community responses can be when people come together to support their neighbours. This is one reason why the province provided $500,000 for outreach services last March.Article content“Open Arms doesn’t just provide housing, it provides a home, and every Nova Scotian deserves a place to call home,” Armstrong said.Article contentThe SSSHP is funded by the Department of Opportunities and Social Development. The Outreach Program is funded primarily by the Department of Opportunities and Social Development, with additional funding from the Office of Addictions and Mental Health and the Wolfville and Area Interchurch Council.Article content Opportunities and Social Development Minister Scott Armstrong speaks at a July 31 event at the Kentville fire hall celebrating progress made by Open Arms addressing homelessness in the Annapolis Valley. Photo by KIRK STARRATT /PostmediaArticle contentExpansion of SSSHPArticle contentOpen Arms director of operations Nick Haddock said he is “thrilled” to announce the expansion of the SSSHP. He said the program empowers people with complex needs to secure and maintain market housing in a community of their choice.Article content“The program’s success is evident in a 100 per cent tenancy retention rate for participants once housing is secured. This demonstrates the power of tailored, client-specific supports, helping individuals achieve stability and independence in their homes,” Haddock said.Article contentHe said they’re also proud to launch their new outreach program, specifically designed to meet the challenges of homelessness in rural areas. These areas present particular difficulties with dispersed populations and limited access to services.Article contentA dedicated outreach encampment team will provide critical support, operating in-person, seven days a week, 16 hours a day, with two staff members on every shift. There is 24-7 after-hours support.Article contentArticle contentThe team specializes in early interventions and community support to prevent encampments from forming. They also help transition people from existing encampments to more stable housing or shelter options.Article contentHe said the program has “already demonstrated incredible success,” highlighting the effective dismantling of an encampment within the Town of Wolfville. All participants were supported in transitioning to more stable shelter and housing “without police or media involvement.”Article content Open Arms director of operations Nick Haddock says he’s “thrilled” to announce the expansion of the Scattered Site Supportive Housing Program, and they’re proud to launch their new outreach program, specifically designed to meet the challenges of homelessness in rural areas. Photo by KIRK STARRATT /PostmediaArticle contentProgram fills service gapArticle contentOpen Arms executive director Leanne Jennings said the SSSHP is an example of a program filling a gap in the housing continuum, as it supports individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and have a high depth of need.Article content“That is a population that our region hasn’t supported well recently but this new program is the first of its kind in Nova Scotia and is very much geared to that population,” Jennings said.Article contentArticle contentShe said program participants have a higher degree of contact with their support worker, and it comes with a subsidy so they can use a “housing first” approach. This means a person in need receives stable housing before they’re required to manage other barriers or challenges. Once someone has stable housing, they’re much more able to work on other aspects of their lives.Article content“We’ve just received funding to double our caseload, so we’re very confident that this population that we haven’t been able to serve adequately up until now will start to receive the types of supports and the level of support that they need,” Jennings said.Article contentShe said they continue to see a need to better co-ordinate and have better access to community mental health. Jennings said that as an organization, Open Arms doesn’t look to employ mental health professionals but would like Nova Scotia Health to work with them toward better access to clinicians and the mental health system in general.Article contentShe said the vision of Open Arms is that “everyone in the Annapolis Valley lives in dignified, affordable, and stable housing in a community of their choice.”Article contentIt’s the driving force behind everything they do.Article contentOpen Arms supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through emergency and transitional shelter, community outreach, housing support services, and affordable housing solutions.Article contentThey strive to make an impact across the entire housing spectrum through a comprehensive range of support and housing options. This often involves strong co-ordination with other agencies and community partners.Article content“This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about recognizing diverse needs and providing a clear pathway out of homelessness and into stable housing,” Jennings said.Article contentShe said they prioritize diversion to stop homelessness before it starts and prioritize collecting data to help identify where gaps exist, measure effectiveness, and inform program development. The success of the Outreach Program and SSSHP “are a testament to this comprehensive strategy.”Article contentArticle content“The funding has already contributed to immense success and is truly worth the cost,” Jennings said.Article contentShe said that while they receive government funding, they still rely on community donations to pilot programs and test theories as they continue expanding their affordable housing portfolio.Article content Open Arms executive director Leanne Jennings says the Scattered Site Supportive Housing Program supports individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and a high depth of need. Photo by KIRK STARRATT /PostmediaArticle contentOpen Arms ‘pivotal’ organizationArticle contentArmstrong said organizations like Open Arms are pivotal when it comes to putting government funding to work addressing homelessness and gaps in housing types. For example, the provincial government wouldn’t be able to operate shelter villages like Tiny Meadows in North Kentville without them.Article content“Our government has moved strongly in terms of trying to support all of our service providers as they deal with homelessness,” he said.Article contentArmstrong said homelessness has spiked sharply across the country. Without organizations like Open Arms and The Portal Youth Outreach Association that were already on the ground in the community, “we couldn’t deliver these services. We would have a real crisis on our hands.”Article contentArticle contentHe said the budget for Open Arms has increased from about $1.2 million to $4.1 million over the last year because of the cost involved with providing such services.Article content“This partnership is hugely important in dealing with what really is a social crisis in all of North America since the pandemic,” Armstrong said.Article contentHe said Open Arms is among the top service providers in Nova Scotia. They “do things on time, on budget” and the expertise they bring from years of experience is something the province doesn’t have in many rural areas. Armstrong said Open Arms likes to pilot ideas to see if they work, then approach the government for funding support.Article content“That data and that research have been pivotal in us taking similar services and replicating them across other areas of the province,” Armstrong said. “They really are a beacon of hope for homeless people.”Article contentHe said homelessness is one of the most urgent challenges as a government. Progress is being made, but they know there is much more work to be done.Article contentKings North MLA and Finance Minister John Lohr said the Annapolis Valley community is very fortunate to have organizations like Open Arms and The Portal. He said the reality is that these organizations wouldn’t work without a lot of caring volunteers.Article content“Sometimes when I travel, I find communities that don’t really have an equivalent organization to Open Arms or The Portal, and we have both, so we’re very blessed as a community to have that,” Lohr said.Article contentLohr also acknowledged municipal partners from the County of Kings and towns of Wolfville and Kentville and their important role in supporting community organizations that address homelessness.Article content Kings North MLA and Finance Minister John Lohr speaks at a July 31 event in Kentville celebrating progress made by Open Arms combating homelessness in the Annapolis Valley. Photo by KIRK STARRATT /PostmediaArticle content
Open Arms celebrates progress addressing homelessness in Annapolis Valley
