Cape Breton non-profit adds seven units to youth supportive housing program

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaCape BretonNews Cape Breton non-profit adds seven units to youth supportive housing program New Dawn purchases Sydney property to combat youth homelessness Author of the article: By Brendyn Creamer Published Sep 24, 2026 Last updated 19 minutes ago 3 minute read Youth living in one of the three Abbey Ridge supportive housing buildings have their own private room. This photo is from one of the buildings in Glace Bay, with the new building in Sydney under renovation. PHOTO BY NEW DAWN /CONTRIBUTED Article content There will soon be new beds available for homeless or housing-at-risk youth in Sydney. Article content The social enterprise non-profit New Dawn operates the Abbey Ridge youth supporting housing program for people between the ages of 16 and 24, currently operating two buildings in Glace Bay, with 13 units between them. Article content Article content “We are set in November of 2026, this fall, to open up our third location now in the community of Sydney,” said Larissa Rodriguez, New Dawn’s director of youth and family care. “We’re going to have another seven beds. We’re super excited about that.” Article content Article content Supported in part by funding from the provincial government’s Department of Opportunities and Social Development, Abbey Ridge is able to subsidize rent in these units to help young people who are able to live independently, qualify for income support or have employment income, and are willing to undertake life skills programming. Article content Each youth has their own private bedroom and have shared facilities available to them, such as a kitchen and living area. Article content Larissa Rodriguez is the director of youth and family care at New Dawn. She says a house in Sydney will allow housing-at-risk youth in the community to stay close to their established support systems. PHOTO BY NEW DAWN /CONTRIBUTED Article content ‘THERE’S HUGE GAPS’ Article content Rodriguez stressed the importance of opening these units given the lack of other affordable housing options for youth transitioning to adulthood. Article content “There’s huge gaps, especially in the supportive homes available for youth in our community compared to areas such as HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) and other areas of Nova Scotia,” she said. “We’re at max capacity with a wait list. Article content “If we…