Cape Breton non-profit adds seven units to youth supportive housing program
New Dawn purchases Sydney property to combat youth homelessness
Cape Breton Post, September 24, 2026
There will soon be new beds available for homeless or housing-at-risk youth in Sydney.
The social enterprise non-profit New Dawn operates the Abbey Ridge youth supportive housing program for people between the ages of 16 and 24, currently operating two buildings in Glace Bay, with 13 units between them.
“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.”
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.
Each youth has their own private bedroom and has shared facilities available to them, such as a kitchen and living area.
‘THERE’S HUGE GAPS’
Rodriguez stressed the importance of opening these units given the lack of other affordable housing options for youth transitioning to adulthood.
“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.”
“If we could open up for homes tomorrow, we could fill four homes tomorrow,” she continued. “Unless you’re working in this sector, you don’t understand how dire the need is for youth supportive housing.”
It’s equally as important that these units are based in Sydney, said Rodriguez, as it means youth based in the community do not have to move to Glace Bay, potentially losing valuable connections to their home in the process.
“Expanding into another Cape Breton community means supportive housing isn’t concentrated just in one geographical area in the CBRM,” she explained. “You should not necessarily have to leave your community simply to have access to safe housing, and by keeping youth within their existing catchment area, it allows them to remain at their current school.”
“When a young person is already experiencing the instability associated with homelessness, maintaining something significant and familiar as school can provide much needed community and services, and it also helps preserve that natural support system that they have.”
SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE
Applicants for New Dawn’s Abbey Ridge housing program can self-apply through their website or have someone apply on their behalf. Each applicant is measured based on their need, income, and their willingness to participate in supportive programming, facilitated by the help of on-site team leaders and frontline youth support workers, who can also connect these youth to programs outside of Abbey Ridge’s scope, such as connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals who require additional support with the Cape Breton Youth Project. As long as youth are willing to learn independence, Rodriguez said they will be considered.
“We’ll help them get school supplies, get the back-to-school clothes that they need,” she said. “Then post-secondary, if that was an area of interest, we help them apply. We pay for the fees, we help them find funding and support them through that.”
When residents turn 25 or are feeling ready to move out, support workers will also help them find a new place to live, accompanying them on viewings and meetings with landlords.
“We will stay connected with them for a period of time just for that wrap-around support and a smooth transition into independent living in adulthood,” said Rodriguez.
