New deeply affordable housing facility set to open in Halifax

A supportive housing facility opened in Halifax on Oct. 9. (Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic)

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Halifax (SSVP) is celebrating the grand opening of Ozaman Place on Thursday.

Ozaman Place is a supportive, “deeply affordable housing” facility for individuals 50 and older who are experiencing homelessness. Twenty-five per cent of the units are reserved for women.

According to Build Canada Homes, housing is considered deeply affordable when it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income, based on the median income of low- or very-low-income households in a region. This type of housing supports people with limited or fixed incomes.

African Nova Scotians, urban Indigenous and those with health issues will also be prioritized.

Representatives from the SSVP, the North End Community Health Centre (NECHC), funding partners and community leaders will gather at the new affordable housing facility on Brunswick Street, next to the Hope Cottage soup kitchen on Thursday for the grand opening.

The facility features 38 private, permanent housing units for individuals from the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) who are experiencing homelessness.

SSVP offers community meals, home visits and direct assistance with food, rent, prescription costs and utilities for community members. The opening of Ozanam Place marks a new chapter for the mission, a news release said.

The Department of Opportunities and Social Development will provide funding assistance during operations. Ozanam Place is owned by SSVP and operated by the NECHC. Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Halifax Regional Municipality, province of Nova Scotia and Infrastructure Canada, administered by the AHANS provided funding for the project.

The Ozanam Place is expected to be completed by Oct. 30.

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