'The level of need keeps rising': Truro Housing Outreach Society presents annual report

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNova ScotiaTruro 'The level of need keeps rising': Truro Housing Outreach Society presents annual report The society held its annual general meeting on Sept. 16 Author of the article: By Aidan Rawding Published Sep 21, 2026 Last updated 36 minutes ago 2 minute read Stephanie Watson, executive director of homelessness and supportive programs for the Truro Housing Outreach Society, stands outside Haven House shelter on Sept. 17. The society recently held its annual general meeting where it presented an overview of the past year.  PHOTO BY AIDAN RAWDING /Truro News Article content TRURO – Stephanie Watson said this past year has been the toughest for the Truro Housing Outreach Society in its 12 years of helping those in need. Article content “It’s been tough because the level of need keeps rising, and we just feel like we’re never quite catching up,” said Watson, the society’s executive director of homelessness and supportive programs. Article content Article content “We also have had people doing this work and working for us now for a few years, and burnout is really, really strong.” Article content Article content Not being appropriately equipped to handle what’s coming in the door, she said, can sometimes be very difficult. Article content “So, it’s just been … heavier, and this also comes off the back of previous years where we’ve lost quite a few clients to contributing factors of being homeless.” Article content The society hosted its annual general meeting on Sept. 16. Article content It serves Truro, Colchester County, and East Hants, and its mission is to ensure housing security for everyone living in these communities. Article content It operates Haven House, a homeless shelter on Arthur Street in Truro. Other services include outreach case management and housing support for renters. Article content The Truro Housing Outreach Society held its annual general meeting at the H. Douglas Boyce Village Hall in Bible Hill on Sept. 16. PHOTO BY AIDAN RAWDING /Truro News Article content This year, the society helped a record of 61 unique clients find housing – more than double what was reported in the last annual report. Article content The society reported it provided 7,440 bed nights to 74 unique guests this year. Bed nights refer to the number of times someone spends the night at Haven House. Article…