New Affordable Rental Housing Planned
Single parents attending Acadia University will be among people with access to more affordable rental housing thanks to developments valued at $2.43-million under the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement.
Thirty-eight units will be created in two developments: 16 units in Windsor and 22 in Wolfville. Five of the Wolfville units will be designated for families with a single parent who is attending university.
David Morse, Minister of Community Services, and Scott Brison, federal Minister of Public Works and Government Services made the announcement today, Sept. 15 at Acadia University.
"Affordable rental housing helps make for healthy and diverse communities and we continue to work with our community partners to help those who need it the most," said Mr. Morse. "We've heard from single parent students and they have told us that more affordable housing is essential to their education. We hope to announce similar student housing projects in the future."
"We are pleased to be working with our provincial colleagues to create affordable homes in large and small communities throughout the province," said Mr. Brison. "Our ongoing support creates access to affordable rental housing in Nova Scotia that might not have been available otherwise in Kings and Hants counties."
The Windsor development will receive $400,000 in up-front capital funding from the federal government. The province will provide $221,984 in rent supplement funding. Mannex Holdings Ltd. will provide 20 per cent of the total development cost. The three-storey building includes an elevator. All units will be either barrier-free or visitable. The development is scheduled to be complete in spring 2006.
The Wolfville developments will provide 22 units of affordable rental housing, including two units for single-parent student families on the Acadia University campus in fall 2005. A building on Basin Drive, scheduled to be completed fall of 2006, will also include three units for single-parent students and 17 units for families and seniors. Ten of the Wolfville development units will be either visitable or barrier free.
The student housing pilot program will provide single-parent families attending Acadia University with affordable rental housing.
"Access to affordable housing while attending university is a critical issue for all students," said Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, president and vice-chancellor of Acadia University. "Acadia is pleased to be part of this community project that will help broaden opportunities for single parents who want to earn a university degree."
The government of Canada is providing $500,000 in up-front capital funding for the Wolfville projects, while the province is providing about $300,000 in rent supplement funding. Wolfville Court Holdings will provide 20 per cent of the total development cost.
To date, almost $19 million has been announced by the provincial and federal governments for the construction or renovation of almost 475 units in the province. A total of $56.18 million will be available under Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement.
Information on the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing agreement is available at local housing services offices or on the Department of Community Services website at www.gov.ns.ca/coms .