The days are getting shorter and colder, and the holiday markets and events that we look forward to all year are popping up across the community. This weekend is Dartmouth Makers, and Christkindlemarket and the Dartmouth Tree Lighting are the following weekend. I can't wait to run into folks as our family joins so many in taking these events in over the coming weeks.
Dartmouth Shelter
This week the Province announced the opening of a shelter for 20 men will be opening in the Christ Church hall. Although I was not involved in the planning of this shelter I do support it. My biggest fear, as I said at the community meeting last weekend, is that someone will die sleeping rough this winter. We continue to push the Province for real investments in safe, affordable, non-market housing, but in the meantime the weather has gotten cold and too many are without shelter. I know that there is concern among some neighbouring community members. I urge you to be in conversation with the church and the Department of Community services as this project rolls out.
Some updates that came out of that meeting are that there will be perimeter security for the safety of residents and shelter guests, set closing hours will be shifted to meet the needs of the community (i.e. not when kids are walking to school), and contact information will be given to community members to provide supports or have concerns addressed. If residents are seeking more information the best contact right now is Denise LaVangie, Shelter Manager with 902 Man UP, at 902-429-3984.
Short-Term Rentals
Legislative amendments and regulations requiring all short-term rentals in the province to register by April 1, 2023, have been proclaimed. Under the updated regulations, all short-term rentals - including those within people's homes - must register annually with the Tourist Accommodations Registry and include their registration number in their online booking platform listings. The changes also require accommodations to verify they comply with municipal land-use bylaws.
There are also requirements in the new regulations for short-term rental marketing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo. They will need to ensure only operators with a valid registration number are selling short-term rentals through their platforms, and they will be required to share information covered under the Tourist Accommodations Registration Act with the Province to support enforcement.
As we head towards the holiday season I would encourage everyone who is able to take in all that Dartmouth has to offer. From holiday lunches to parties to nights out to gifts, downtown Dartmouth is full of wonderful opportunities. This is a challenging time for many families, and for many of the small, locally-owned businesses that make our community so vibrant. If you are in a position to spend for the holidays, doing so close to home makes the most impact. The Community Fridge at Christ Church, Out of the Cold, the Elizabeth Fry Society and Margarets House are also wonderful organizations (among many others) that directly support people in our community. Please think of these organizations also as you consider how to mark the holidays.
Best,
Claudia
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Changes to Down Payment Assistance Program
The Province is adopting the definition of first-time homebuyer used by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which will expand eligibility for the program. CMHC defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has:
- never purchased a home before
- gone through a breakdown of marriage or common-law partnership, or
- has not occupied a home that either they or their current spouse or common-law partner owned in the last four years.
Applications based on the new definition will be accepted beginning January 1.
Down Payment Assistance Program details are available here.
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Nova Scotia Housing Needs Assessment
The Housing Needs Assessment is one of the recommendations from the 2021 Affordable Housing Commission Report and is intended to further the Province's understanding of the needs of Nova Scotians, help to identify gaps in current and projected housing requirements, and ensure that future investments are designed to close those gaps.
The results will not only inform the number of housing units that each community needs, but also the type of housing that needs to be built. The data and information collected will also be used to inform the development of two new Housing Strategies: the Provincial Housing Strategy, as well as the Student Housing Strategy, which is focused on housing for post-secondary students studying in Nova Scotia.
Survey closes on December 31st at 11:59pm
You can complete it online at www.nshousingneeds.ca or over the phone by calling 1-844-424-8445 (M-F, 8am-3pm)
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Dartmouth Makers Winter Market
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Friday, November 25 from 5pm - 9 pm
Saturday, November 26 from 10 am - 5 pm
61 Dundas Street, Dartmouth
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We're proud to be participating in the Feed Nova Scotia Stuff a Bus campaign this November!
Starting on Monday, Nov 14th we will begin collecting non-perishable food donations.
Please consider bringing a food donation with you next time you visit our facility! Together we can make sure Nova Scotians don't go without this coming Winter.
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Christkindlmarket at Alderney Landing
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The Christkindlmarket is a free family event featuring live music, a carousel ride, family activities, food, drinks & Christmas cheer!
Friday, December 2nd – 4pm to 9pm
Saturday, December 3rd – 8am to 1pm (Farmers Market) & 2pm to 9pm
Sunday, December 4th – 11am to 3pm
Get the full schedule here.
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DDBC Christmas Tree Lighting
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Head downtown on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at Sullivan's Pond Park 5:00 to 6:30pm for the TD Dartmouth Christmas Tree Lighting. The tree will be lit and there will be a Holiday Fireworks Show over Sullivan's Pond at 6:30pm.
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Please join us for Claudia's annual holiday gathering. This year, Claudia is hosting in the new open space in front of the Alderney Gate Library. Pop in for a coffee, snack, and a bit of cheer! Facebook event here. Friends are welcome!
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FEED NS First Voice Advisory Committee
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Feed Nova Scotia is bringing together a small group of folks with lived experience with food insecurity. Join us!
 We'll look at how food insecurity is having an impact and how we can work with communities to create change
We'll meet virtually once a month for two hours for one year starting in January 2023
Your experiences, thoughts, and ideas will shape the work we do together
We will provide each committee member with a $100 honorarium per meeting
If you live in Nova Scotia and have lived experience with food insecurity, we invite you to apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MRP758N
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