Nova Scotia releases update on housing plan

Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr speaks at a press conference in Halifax on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Tutton)

Nova Scotia released an update on it’s five-year housing plan, saying it is on track to meet its goals.

Our Homes, Action for Housing plan was released in 2023 and since then 14,667 new housing units have been created or are in progress.

The province says conditions have been created to ensure another 54,174 housing units are built, a total of 68,841 housing units.

The plan also includes 19,923 affordable housing units.

“Our government’s housing plan is showing results with more homes being built, faster,” said Colton LeBlanc, minister of Growth and Development. “By working with our community partners, we are ensuring that Nova Scotians have access to safe, affordable housing that meets their needs. Our five-year plan is working, and we are not slowing down.”

The plan’s other key achievements from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2025, include:

• housing condition improvements for 41,989 households; the five-year goal is 47,900 households
• support for 976 first-time home buyers through the Down Payment Assistance Program, 78 per cent of the five-year goal
• a path for 4,909 affordable and supportive housing units – 98 per cent of the five-year goal.

The province also highlighted additional student residences that are coming online for Nova Scotia Community College to house 618 more students and 515 new public housing units that will house 1,300 people.

More information on Our Homes, Action for Housing and the provincial needs assessment report is available online.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page