welcome housing

Our housing support team works directly with the public to coordinate housing options and support in the Halifax & Dartmouth areas. The level of support varies depending on the client. Services include ensuring positive relationships between landlords, and clients, advocacy, filling out housing paperwork, securing housing resources, and maintaining tenancy once housed. Safe and secure housing is our goal. Our housing team are experts in their field and can consult on housing options, tenancy related issues, and evictions. Intensive Case Managers work with clients who may need more help, for longer. They can help clients set and meet goals, learn new skills, and support healthy choices.

The experience of partner violence can feel scary and isolating, especially during a housing crisis.

We can help you and your family with:

• Safety planning.
• Assistance to apply for the provincial rent supplement program before you escape.
• Support with information about, and navigation of, community resources.
• Requesting domestic violence leave from your employer.
• Court support.
• Help with housing search and applications, rent supplement, provincial public housing.

Welcome Housing & Support Services owns and operates six buildings in North Halifax and Dartmouth. We support roughly 75 tenants consisting of single men and women. Our Halifax properties are offered at far below market rent, and our Dartmouth properties are offered at 25% of our tenants’ income.  Numerous tenants have been with us for over 15 years. Our tenant support team works closely with our tenants to provide exceptional care and individualized services, as needed. Services can include filing taxes and applying for subsidy.

We have partnered with the province, and Adsum for Women and Children to provide shelter diversion supports. Shelter Diversion Program (SDS) provides single male adults and couples currently sleeping rough, a safe and warm place to sleep Our city is in a crisis where many people are experiencing homelessness. SDS attempts to provide support to community members that otherwise wouldn’t engage with services. Once connected with the SDS program, community members can then be provided with the appropriate resources. With this temporary shelter, comfort, and connection SDS can empower community members to find stable and permanent housing.

Referral number is (902) 431-7848, this provides 3 options. One for single females and families (Adsum), one for single male adults and couples (WHSS), and one for eviction prevention (SNS).

Our trustee program supports over 250 people each month. Our Trustee Service is voluntary, and clients may withdraw at any time. We receive our client’s income, ensure their rent and bills are paid on time, and work with the client on their income left-over. The goal of our trustee program is to assist our clients in gaining confidence over their finances and to grow their financial potential through our programming and individualized care.

Impactful engagement refers to inReach and Outreach services. inReach services include housing clinics available at libraries, family resource centers, partner agency transitional housing providers upon request. Outreach consists of engagement with folks who are sleeping rough in the community to encourage a dialogue around future housing options. Providing networking with other community partners and agencies.

WHSS has been in the community for over thirty five years, first operating as Metro non-profit housing association. We have run non-profit housing during that time as well as opening both Dartmouth and Halifax Housing help. Our Trustee and Housing Support services have been available for over fifteen years. We are always open to individuals looking to explore and expand their knowledge in the field. To inquire please email training@welcomehousing.ca.