New Affordable Housing for Pugwash

People and families in Pugwash will soon have a new place to call home with 40 new housing units – 20 designated as deeply affordable.

The Sunset Community, a non-profit housing provider, is leading the project in partnership with local builder Crossroads Cycle.

“Our government is dedicated to helping all Nova Scotians have a safe and affordable place to call home, and this project, which includes 20 deeply affordable units, is doing just that,” said Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton, on behalf of Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Growth and Development. “Projects like these increase access to housing and strengthen our economy to help grow local businesses and communities.”

Sunrise Landing is designed to meet urgent housing needs by offering quality, affordable homes for people transitioning from Sunset’s care programs, and for members of the broader public – including Sunset staff who currently commute long distances to work.

As part of their workforce housing initiative, Crossroads Cycle has committed to renting five three-bedroom units at market rates for their employees.

The new development features a mix of one- and three-bedroom units. Affordable rents, which include utilities, are $495 for one bedroom and $690 for three bedroom.

The Province is contributing $3 million in non-repayable loans to the project under the Affordable Housing Development Program. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is contributing $7.3 million to the project, the Municipality of the County of Cumberland is contributing $300,000 and the River Philip Foundation is contributing $500,000.

Since 2021, the Province has invested $283 million in 3,054 affordable units, and these numbers continue to grow.

Quotes:

“Our government is committed to helping communities develop local solutions to housing need and homelessness. This project will provide more-safe, affordable homes for some of the most vulnerable residents of Pugwash. It’s also another step forward in building an economy that serves everyone.”
— Gregor Robertson, federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure

“This is a great thing for the Sunset Community, the Village of Pugwash and Cumberland County as a whole. Sunrise Landing is going to be a model for the rest of the world to follow. It is going to be beautiful when it’s complete. We are so proud to be part of it.” — Rod Gilroy, Mayor of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland

“After three years of dedication and planning, the Sunset Community is thrilled to announce the official start of construction on Sunrise Landing, an inclusive new housing community located in the heart of Pugwash. Sunrise Landing will offer a thoughtfully designed mix of affordable and market-rate rental units to support a vibrant and diverse rural community. This new development will include one- and three-bedroom homes built to welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds. This milestone was reached thanks to the support and collaboration of key community partners, including the local builder, Cross Roads, and our funding partners. Sunrise Landing represents more than just housing – it’s a place to call home, grow community and build a brighter, more inclusive future in rural Nova Scotia.”
— Julie Hoeg, CEO, The Sunset Community

Quick Facts:

• The Sunset Community currently serves 60 people with physical and intellectual disabilities and mental illness in its residential centre, while operating an independent living support program that supports 20 people across Cumberland County in their own homes and an eight-bed group home in Pugwash
• it also operates Sunset Industries, which provides work and skill-building opportunities to 40 people from Cumberland and Colchester Counties
• units in the new housing project will be available to tenants throughout the wider community
• since 2023, the Province has paved the way to create 51,352 new housing units under the Action for Housing plan
• community housing organizations and private developers can apply for forgivable loans from Nova Scotia’s Affordable Housing Development Program to help fund the construction of new housing or the conversion of non-residential buildings

Additional Resources:

News release – Housing Plan Progress Exceeds Targets in First Year: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/24/housing-plan-progress-exceeds-targets-first-year

Our Homes, Action for Housing: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/docs/strategic-plan-action-for-housing.pdf

Sunrise Landing: https://thesunsetcommunity.ca/sunrise_landing/

Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way