African Nova Scotian Black Community Housing Council calls for community bank, housing hub

The African Nova Scotian Black Housing Council has released a new housing strategy.

The African Nova Scotian Black Community Housing Council has released its new housing strategy after two years of development, calling for a community bank and a housing hub.

The housing council developed the strategy from 2022 to 2024, working collaboratively with 165 African Nova Scotians and allies through 18 engagement workshops across the province.

A report filed by the housing council cited housing affordability and security, particularly for renters, as a common problem in Nova Scotia. It also noted issues with few housing options and supports for seniors, prohibitive approval criteria restricting access to mortgages by members of the African Nova Scotian community and a shortage of available housing.

“Recent data reveals an alarming increase in ANS renter households, sparking the need for swift action,” a news release from the housing council reads.

The housing council’s new strategy highlights four main initiatives:

• creating an African Nova Scotian community bank and incubator
• developing an African Nova Scotian community land trust strategy
• developing an African Nova Scotian housing development toolkit
• creating an African Nova Scotian housing hub

“This strategy was created to advance the vision of a province where African Nova Scotians have a level playing field and access to good quality housing of all types, with enhanced access to wealth-generating opportunities such as home- and land-ownership in historic ANS communities and beyond,” the release reads.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page