Province Provides More Help for Renters at Risk of Homelessness
NOTE: A list of service providers receiving additional funding follows this release.
The Province is providing more funding to help Nova Scotians at risk of homelessness address rental arrears, overdue power bills and other housing-related challenges.
This support, known as diversion funding, has been provided to 16 community-based partners – seven in Halifax Regional Municipality and nine in other parts of the province.
“One of the best ways to address homelessness in our communities is to prevent it from happening in the first place,” said Susan Corkum-Greek, Ministerial Assistant for Opportunities and Social Development, on behalf of Minister Barbara Adams. “This additional funding gives our service providers more tools to support Nova Scotians and keep them connected to stable housing.”
Partners will receive an additional $950,000 in total to provide direct, one-time financial support to help their clients stay in their homes or secure a new rental. Examples of assistance could include help with rental arrears when someone is facing eviction, covering a damage deposit or first month’s rent, or help with a utility bill after a disconnection notice. People who receive diversion support funding are also connected to other supports and services, including a housing support caseworker who will work with them long-term.
Quotes:
“We see first-hand how a missed paycheque or unexpected bill can push someone to the brink of losing their home. Diversion funding is a practical tool that allows our caseworkers to step in at a critical moment, relieve immediate pressure and keep people housed, often preventing someone from needing to enter an emergency shelter when capacity there is already stretched. That stability gives people the breathing room they need to build a path forward.”
— Melissa Phillips, Director of Practice and Development, Shelter Nova Scotia
“Since April of last year, Cape Breton Community Housing Association has used diversion funding to assist 173 individuals end or avoid re-entry into homelessness by finding or maintaining permanent, independent housing. The diversion funding is indispensable in this regard and has changed the trajectory of people’s lives for the better. The program also effectively enables us to manage pressure on other homelessness programs including the Community Homeless Shelter. This program is an essential tool in the quest to eliminate homelessness here in Cape Breton Regional Municipality.”
— Fred Deveaux, Executive Director, Cape Breton Community Housing Association
Quick Facts:
- the annual budget for diversion funding is $1 million
- the Department provided $5.4 million in 2025-26 to community-based organizations across the province to fund housing support worker positions
Service providers receiving funding:
- 902 ManUp, Halifax Regional Municipality
- A Roof Over Your Head Society, Antigonish County
- Association of Black Social Workers, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Adsum for Women and Children, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Beacon House, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Cape Breton Community Housing Association, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
- Chebucto Connections, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Family Resource Centre of West Hants, Hants County
- Portal Youth Outreach Association, Kings County
- Shelter Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality
- South Shore Open Doors Association, Lunenburg County
- YMCA of Cumberland, Cumberland County
- YMCA of Cape Breton, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
- Truro Homeless Outreach Society, Colchester County
- Viola’s Place Society, Pictou County