Halifax couple hopes federal budget leads to affordable housing

A roofer is seen working on a new housing development in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., southwest of Montreal on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Lis and Myles Landry watched coverage of the federal budget, looking for any good news surrounding affordable housing.

“I wanted to see good non-market solutions to the housing crisis,” said Lis Landry.

Married for less than a year, the Landrys both work full time, rent an apartment in Halifax and believe they are nowhere near being able to afford a home. At this stage of their marriage, affording a down payment on a mortgage is not realistic.

Tuesday’s budget did offer some glimmers of hope. They both said newly unveiled budget details, like $25 billion in funding for new home building projects, plus an additional $7 billion for the Build Canada Homes plan, sound like positive steps. But they want to hear more details.

“Is it in grants and loans and what does the repay look like on those loans?” said Lis Landry, who added she was also disappointed over the lack of specific funding for senior housing.

“As housing gets more unaffordable, (senior Canadians) lack a place to downsize to and that stops being sustainable as well.”

As a couple, they are trying to determine if this new federal budget plan moves them closer to realizing their dream of owning a home someday.

“I don’t know, because I still feel like I need to see more,” said Myles Landry. “We need to take a closer look at the budget although I do feel like some of the things I’ve said in the past have been heard in Ottawa.”

The couple said billions of dollars could lead to a boost in affordable housing, but it’s still unknown when would that happen. They are in their 30s, they want to be homeowners soon and not wait until middle age.