Budget Bulletin: Affordable Housing for Low-income Nova Scotians

COMMUNITY SERVICES--Budget Bulletin: Affordable Housing for Low-income Nova Scotians

The province is committed to providing affordable housing to low-income Nova Scotians.

In 2004-05, the province will maintain expenditures for all existing housing and repair programs. In addition, the province has allocated funding for the continued development of additional affordable housing for low-income Nova Scotians. This funding will support new rental housing, rental preservation, new home ownership and home preservation programs. Furthermore, by adopting a plan already in place in New Brunswick, the province will provide funding for new rental housing based on a multi-year formula to ensure it remains affordable over the long term.

The preservation and development of additional affordable housing falls under the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement, a $37.26-million joint initiative between the federal and provincial governments.

Since the agreement was signed in 2002, the province has announced a number of projects, including:

• the construction of a new 15-unit townhouse complex in the Annapolis Valley;
• the construction of six new modest, semi-detached homes in Halifax;
• extensive repairs to 30 homes across the province;
• a request for proposals for the development of 200 new rental units across the province.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement is a step in the right direction and the province will continue to work with all levels of government and the community to develop strategies and solutions for affordable housing in Nova Scotia.

Through the housing division of the Department of Community Services, the province offers a wide range of housing programs and services to assist close to 20,000 Nova Scotian households each year. These include rental housing accommodation and rent supplements, grants or loans for home repairs and renovations, and mortgages to purchase or build modest homes.

NOTE: For further 2004-05 budget information, see the Department of Finance website at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .