Nova Scotia Gets More Affordable Housing Funding
COMMUNITY SERVICES--Nova Scotia Gets More Affordable Housing Funding
Nova Scotians will get another $18.92 million for the construction or renovation of affordable housing in the province under a new phase of a joint agreement with the federal government.
Federal Minister of Labour and Housing Joe Fontana and Nova Scotia Community Services Minister David Morse signed the second phase of the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement today, March 3.
Today's announcement brings the total investment under the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program Agreement to $56.18 million in funding by 2008. This investment is being equally shared by the government of Canada and the province of Nova Scotia and its housing partners.
"More Nova Scotians will now be able to gain access to affordable housing," said Mr. Fontana. "We are very pleased with the work we are doing with our provincial partner to address the housing needs of Nova Scotians. This additional federal funding demonstrates our continued commitment to help provide safe and strong communities throughout Nova Scotia."
"The province of Nova Scotia is pleased to strengthen its commitment to affordable housing with the signing of the second phase of the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing agreement," said Mr. Morse. "The second phase of the program will provide the province with even greater flexibility in meeting the unique housing needs of low- to moderate-income Nova Scotians."
Nova Scotia is the fourth province in Canada to sign the second phase of the agreement. To date, over $14.4 million has been committed for the construction or renovation of more than 300 units valued at over $20 million in the province. Several new projects will be announced in the coming weeks.
Funding under this affordable housing agreement will be used for provincially designed programs that will support the creation of new rental housing and home ownership, and the rehabilitation or conversion of existing housing which is in poor repair.