Eleanor’s Court is a 25-unit supportive affordable housing development funded by the Rapid Housing Initiative, Reaching Home, and the Province of Nova Scotia. The building is located on the corner of Charlotte and York streets in the Northend of Sydney.

The individual apartments, including two accessible units, each have a private washroom, kitchenette/living area, and bedroom. The building has a shared kitchen and social area, laundry facilities, and spaces for services and programming including counselling, a managed alcohol program, peer support, and housing support.

Eleanor’s Court is harm reduction housing. Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use without necessarily requiring people who use substances to abstain. Instead, this approach provides housing first, along with access to peer, medical, and social services that supports people to make positive change without coercion, discrimination or judgement. Research shows those who engage in harm reduction services are more likely to participate in ongoing treatment as a result.

The Ally Centre of Cape Breton provides around-the-clock staffing, programming and supports for the residents at Eleanor’s Court. New Dawn owns and maintains the building.

Eleanor’s Court is named in honour of the late Eleanor Young of Eskasoni, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a deeply loved client of the Ally Centre.

“Eleanor’s Court will not only offer safe, affordable, supportive housing to some of Eleanor’s
closest friends, but will also serve as a reminder of how important housing is in protecting our
most vulnerable people.”

Christine Porter, Executive Director of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton

Learn more about Eleanor’s Court and associated resources below:

ALLY CENTRE OF CAPE BRETON

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING & HARM REDUCTION

FACTS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

AFFORDABLE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING EXAMPLES

HOUSING NEEDS IN THE CBRM

HONOURING ELEANOR – BUILDING NAME