Constraints on Social Infrastructure Facing Newcomer Communities in Halifax

This article examines the social infrastructure supporting Halifax’s immigrant communities that is fostered by immigrant service organizations (ISOs) and immigrant social networks (ISNs). It explores 1) how newcomers engage with community spaces, 2) the challenges faced by organizations in developing and maintaining social infrastructure, and 3) the capacity of existing community gathering spaces for newcomers in Halifax. Our research findings show that newcomers face barriers in accessing key social supports and services. ISOs must navigate the complex challenges of finding appropriate spaces, maintaining capacity, and securing consistent funding. We make recommendations pertaining to infrastructure planning for Halifax Regional Municipality to 1) create a centralized inventory of community gathering spaces, 2) dedicate resources to formally integrate the provision of social infrastructure such as libraries with immigration planning, and 3) coordinate community space planning with transit service planning to enhance inclusion and accessibility.