HRM may offer space in its Dartmouth call centre to the province’s new three-digit helpline, 211.
The new provincial service is toll free, 24 hours a day for everyday of the year, and is also available online. It’s for people to access an array of non-emergency social and health services from all levels of government as well as community groups and charities.
The province announced it in April, committing $585,000 in the 2011-12 budget to start it up, increasing to $945,000 for operational funding over the next five years. Private corporations have also chipped in for the service.
It was supposed to be up and running in 2012, but 211 still needs a place to live. Municipal staff is recommending to Halifax regional council on Tuesday to open their call centre in the Eric Spicer Building on Mount Hope Avenue in Dartmouth.
The United Way, which has been petitioning for a 211 line for years, will be running the service.
Dartmouth Centre Coun. Gloria McCluskey said on Sunday opening the centre there makes sense since HRM already shares space in that building with the federal and provincial governments for emergency services.
The 211 service is looking for 1,500 square feet to house workspaces for two managers and up to eight service advisers and technicians.
Municipal staff said the HRM-owned building has plenty of room to spare. It also wouldn’t cost them anything, since revenues of $7.50 per square foot from 211 Nova Scotia would offset any expenses.
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