Nova Scotia Housing Plan Released

The Province continues to take bold and collaborative action to create more housing, faster, for Nova Scotians.

Today, October 23, the government released its five-year housing plan – Our Homes, Action for Housing. It represents a projected $1-billion investment and highlights targets to create the conditions for more than 40,000 new housing units from one end of the province to the other.

The plan is informed by a provincewide housing needs assessment report, also released today, which captures feedback from 21,000 Nova Scotians, 115 employers and more than 100 organizations.

“Housing is a shared responsibility, and we need all levels of government, non-profits, developers and communities working together to solve these unprecedented housing challenges. This plan is a collection of action we’ve already taken and a road map of where we intend to go as we continue to work diligently with our partners,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This plan was not built in a boardroom. It was crafted with input from the voices of thousands of Nova Scotians representing our province’s rich diversity. Our vision for the future is clear – more Nova Scotians will have access to safe and affordable housing, faster. Our future is bright.”

The needs assessment report, by Turner Drake & Partners Ltd., estimates that at the current pace of construction, which brings about 6,000 units to market each year, there will be a shortage of 41,200 housing units by 2027-28 if aggressive action is not taken.

Our Homes, Action for Housing brings partners together to address the gap identified in the needs assessment by increasing housing supply; growing and sustaining affordable housing across the province; and delivering the programs people need. The plan highlights 12 key actions that will help departments reach the Province’s first housing targets, by helping people right now and into the future.

The needs assessment and Our Homes, Action for Housing are available at: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/

Quotes:

“This assessment is a significant information resource that will support the provincial government and communities across Nova Scotia in responding to housing issues. While the results of our analyses and the perspectives shared by so many fellow Nova Scotians help us understand how housing challenges vary from place to place, the overarching lessons must be that they are the result of both recent and long-running trends, they will not be resolved without sustained attention and investment, and the private, public, and non-profit sectors of the housing system all have crucial roles to play.”

– Andrew Scanlan Dickie, Manager, Planning Division, Turner Drake & Partners Ltd.

“We are excited to work with the Province and partners across the province to bring more housing to our communities. The need is there, and we know the role we can play in helping people to find a home.”

– Angela Bishop, Executive Director, Housing Trust of Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

• as part of the housing needs assessment, Nova Scotians were invited to fill out surveys, and more than 80 stakeholder and municipal engagement sessions were held
• the Province has made almost $300 million in housing investments since 2022 to help Nova Scotians in need

Additional Resources:

Mandate letter for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-MAH-EMO-MR.pdf