Lease Program Reducing Hotel Stays, Providing Homes for People Experiencing Homelessness

More families and individuals are moving out of emergency hotel shelters and into the comfort of a home since the launch of the Province’s master lease program and through other investments in supportive housing.

Over the past year, the number of people experiencing homelessness who are staying in provincially funded hotel rooms has declined from 251 to 36, an 86 per cent decrease. The number of hotel rooms is now 18, down from 111.

Growth in the master lease program as a longer-term housing option is a major reason why. Through the program, created in 2024, the Province provides service organizations with funding to lease housing units from landlords (a “master lease”), which are then subleased to people experiencing homelessness.

There are currently about 320 units of supportive housing under master lease agreements with 10 service providers across the province. Those numbers are expected to grow in the coming months.

“A home is so much more than four walls. It’s where kids do their homework, where parents cook dinner, and where people find their calm at the end of the day,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. “We know hotel stays can be a lifeline for those in need. While it is a short-term solution for people experiencing homelessness, it was never meant for long-term stays. The master lease program is helping to shift hotel stays back to its intended purpose – an emergency response – while providing more people with the comforts of a home.”

As with other supportive housing, people who sublease from a service provider pay rent, usually 30 per cent of income. Service providers deliver wraparound supports to help residents establish and build good rental history and interact with landlords in a supportive setting, with the ultimate goal of taking over the lease themselves.

The master lease program also provides a housing option for other people experiencing homelessness, such as youth, women and children fleeing violence, people discharged from hospital and people who have a criminal record or other conflict with the justice system.

The supportive housing units provide residents independence and a sense of community, with support that may include mental and physical healthcare, substance-use treatment, life skills and job readiness programs, and access to food and other essentials.

Quotes:

“While the depth of the housing crisis has required creative, temporary solutions like using hotel rooms for emergency shelter, we are pleased to be transitioning families into more stable housing. The master lease program is another step toward ensuring Nova Scotians have their own truly affordable, secure homes.”
— Sheri Lecker, Executive Director, Adsum for Women & Children

“Women and gender-diverse people often face barriers to second chances due to their criminal records. The supportive housing master lease program helps them develop pro-social lifestyles and build a rental reputation to move forward. By addressing the social issues behind their criminalization and fostering stability, the program aims to break the revolving-door cycle and offer hope for a better future.”
— Darlene MacEachern, Executive Director, Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton

Quick Facts:

• the master lease model aligns with leading research as one of the most effective supportive housing options, as it offers immediate housing stability and ongoing support with a focus on social integration and inclusion and dignity of choice
• the government provided about $3.1 million to service providers in 2024-25 for the program, and the budget for 2025-26 is about $15.4 million
• the program reduces operational costs for service providers by eliminating overhead costs and property maintenance
• the government makes other investments in supportive housing across the province, such as in The Rose in Halifax, the tiny homes community in Lower Sackville and Eleanor’s Court in Sydney, all of which provide people with tailored wraparound services and supports to prepare them for more independent living

Additional Resources:

Supports for people experiencing homelessness: https://novascotia.ca/supports-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/

News releases related to supportive housing: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=240

Video marking one-year anniversary of Lower Sackville tiny homes community: