The Housing Trust of Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating community workforce housing rentals across the province. They partner with communities, governments, and local organizations to develop, preserve, and revitalize homes that facilitate and enable local economies, and are guided by their mission and values, and are committed to building strong, vibrant communities where everyone has a place to call home.

The “Housing for Healthcare” initiative, in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia, builds and operates affordable, quality housing for essential workers, and work with local healthcare organizations to reach eligible residents, They are currently preparing to open 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom units on Waterloo Street in Liverpool.

This initiative addresses two pressing social issues:
1) Lack of housing for healthcare workers
2) Shortage of non-market rental housing

They will be available for healthcare or skilled worker sectors, including workers that support the operation of a healthcare facility including but not limited to:

– Doctors
– Nurses
– Technicians
– Administrative support staff
– Orderlies
– Continuing care assistants
– Support Staff
– Maintenance Staff

Rental rates will be based on a mixed income model, and some households may be eligible for an incentive towards or reduction in their rent based on total household income.

For more information call Heidi Bennett, Housing Advisor for the Housing Trust of Nova Scotia at (902) 410-0244 or via email – heidi@housingtrust.ca.

Four new Western Zone SANE nurses. Photo Shana Vidito

Four nurses are joining the Sexual Assault Nurses Examiner program in the province’s Western Health Zone.

The SANE program launched in Yarmouth two years ago to provide victims of sexual assault access to medical and forensic services.

It has since been adopted in all four health zones across Nova Scotia.

Western Zone SANE coordinator Shana Vidito says the service is dedicated to caring for and providing choices to victims of sexual assault.

“They can come in and just receive medical attention. Which is us looking at their wounds and then in addition, or not, they can choose, they can add on, if they want to do a SAFE kit of a rape kit,” said Vidito. “That process involves gathering all that evidence that’s on their body, maybe taking pictures, taking DNA swabs, documenting physical injuries and collecting that for the RCMP, should they decide to hand it over to the RCMP or store it with the SANE program.”

The SANE program is available to people 13 years and older within seven days of an incident.

The four new recruits will bolster supports at regional hospitals in the Annapolis Valley and South Shore bringing the total number of SANE nurses covering that area to 20.

Vidito says everyone working in the SANE program providing frontline support are experienced nurses, taking on this role on top of their day-to-day responsibilities.

“They’re doing this above and beyond their regular jobs which is incredible in these COVID times because these nurses are burnt out and these nurses are just so dedicated to the work, they’re incredible,” said Vidito. “They’re just amazing people.”

Vidito expects the new additions will join the regular rotation of SANE nurses in December.

Anyone wishing to receive confidential and non-judgemental support for sexual assault from a SANE nurse can do so by calling 1-833-577-SANE (7623) anytime.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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