Affordable Student Housing Pilot Program

Low-income single parents attending university will get help with the cost of their rent thanks to an affordable student housing pilot program created under the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement.

Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services, and Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, announced today, Oct. 4, that rent supplements are available for 30 low-income single parent students attending university full time. This adds 15 more units to the 15 announced in November 2005.

"As a mother and former educator, I understand the importance of an education in helping people realize their full potential," said Ms. Streatch. "We are making housing more affordable for single-parent students so they can focus on their education and take comfort in knowing their family has a warm, safe home."

To qualify for the affordable student housing pilot program, single-parent students must be enrolled in university full time, eligible for public housing and approved for Nova Scotia student assistance. Rent supplement assistance is available for qualifying students whose apartments have been safety inspected and approved by the local housing authority.

"Canada's government is very proud to support this initiative," said Mr. MacKay. "This affordable student housing program will provide single-parent students and their children with a quality environment, allowing them to remain in their community, close to their family and friends."

Thirteen families are already participating in the program, which began last year at Acadia University, Cape Breton University and St. Francis Xavier University. Other universities like Mount Saint Vincent, Dalhousie and Saint Mary's are providing additional assistance to meet the needs of single-parent students participating in this program.

"It's been really challenging to make ends meet while going to school and caring for my children," said Margaret, a second-year student at Cape Breton University. "When I started with the Affordable Student Housing program I knew it was going to be a much better year. Rent is my biggest expense and now I don't have to worry about providing a good home for my family."

Single parents interesting in applying for the affordable student housing pilot program should contact their local housing authority.

As of March 31, $37.3 million has been committed by the federal and provincial governments and housing partners for the construction or renovation of more than 900 affordable housing units. A total of $56.2 million will be committed under the Canada-Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement by 2009.

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 .