Province says renovation project to bring more affordable housing to Yarmouth, N.S.

A Victorian building in Yarmouth, N.S., that is being converted to a 12-unit complex with seven affordable units, is pictured. (Contributed)

The Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) has partnered with the province and the federal government to bring more access to affordable housing to residents of Yarmouth, N.S.

Renovations have begun to convert a three-story Victorian building on James Street from a former rooming house to a 12-unit complex with seven affordable units, said an announcement from Yarmouth MLA Nick Hilton.

“Preserving and converting the housing we have is just as important as building new ones,” said Hilton. “By working closely with the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia, we’re opening the door for more Yarmouth residents to find an affordable place to call home.”

The province will spend $1.3 million on the project through the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program, said the announcement. The program provides forgivable loans for non-profits and housing co-ops to maintain and restore units to livable conditions.

“Like many small Canadian towns, Yarmouth needs more affordable housing, and we’ve made strong progress over the past two years,” said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. “The AHANS project at 8 James Street shows how a building with deep community roots can be repurposed to provide homes for our residents.”

The property will get energy efficient upgrades that preserve its character, said Mood.

Preserving affordable housing through partnerships is key to the province’s five-year housing plan, Our Homes, Action for Housing, said the announcement. Over the past two years, housing starts are up 36 per cent.

“Every goal has been exceeded, with the conditions created for more than 68,000 new housing units,” said the release.

Funding for the project also includes:

• $1.47 million from the federal government through the Canada Greener Affordable Housing program
• $100,000 from the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia,
• $50,000 from the Town of Yarmouth
• $97,680 from Efficiency Nova Scotia

A minimum of 30 per cent of units must be rented to low-income households under the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program.

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