Nova Scotia says 8 new homes to be built for people with disabilities

The province has been defending itself in a human rights inquiry about providing community housing

An inquiry is considering whether the Department of Community Services violated the Human Rights Act by housing Beth MacLean in a hospital-like, institutional setting in Halifax for over a decade. (Robert Short/CBC)

Nova Scotia says eight new community-based homes are to be built for people with disabilities.

The province, which has been defending itself at a human rights inquiry against a complaint that it discriminated against people with disabilities by keeping them in institutional settings, says each home will house up to four people.

It says information sessions will be held beginning in July for potential developers in the regions where five homes will be located: two in the Halifax area and one each in Yarmouth, Kings and Lunenburg counties.

The following month, the Community Services Department will issue a call for vendors to apply to develop and operate homes.

It says work is already underway on the development of homes in New Glasgow, Isle Madame and Clare.

Two patients, Beth MacLean and Joseph Delaney, have alleged the Department of Community Services violated the Human Rights Act by forcing them to remain at the Emerald Hall psychiatric ward in Halifax for over a decade, even though they had been medically discharged.

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