Pictou Residents Benefit From New Affordable Housing
The Pictou Beeches project will provide a mix of affordable and market rate units; affordable rents will be $785 for a one-bedroom unit, $912 for a two-bedroom unit and $1,140 for a three-bedroom unit. All include electricity, hot water, heat, parking and in-suite laundry. (Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative)
More Pictou residents will soon have access to new affordable housing options, with construction underway on a 27 unit housing development on Beeches Road. The project will include 11 affordable homes that will remain affordable permanently, ensuring long-term stability for generations of residents.
Marco MacLeod, MLA for Pictou West, made the announcement today, March 20, on behalf of Housing Minister John White.
“Each new home strengthens our community, and these 27 units are more than a construction project – they are future homes for people in Pictou,” said Mr. MacLeod. “By working with our partners, we’re helping to give people a home where they can build their lives, raise their families, and stay connected to the community they love.”
The project is a partnership between the Province, the federal government and the Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative.
The Pictou Beeches project will provide a mix of affordable and market rate units; affordable rents will be $785 for a one-bedroom unit, $912 for a two-bedroom unit and $1,140 for a three-bedroom unit. All include electricity, hot water, heat, parking and in-suite laundry.
The province is contributing $1.639 million under the Affordable Housing Development Program. The federal government is providing $9.4 million through the Affordable Housing Fund while Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative is contributing $390,958.
Funding for Stonehouse Manor, a housing project in a former municipal building in downtown Pictou, was also announced today, March 20.
The 132-year-old historic building was converted into 15 residential units offering a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, 10 of which are affordable. A partnership between the Province, the federal government and the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, the units are complete and fully occupied.
The Province provided $1 million under the Affordable Housing Development Program while the federal government contributed $1.3 million through the Affordable Housing Fund and the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council gave $237,350.
Stonehouse Manor is a housing project in a former municipal building in downtown Pictou. (Nova Scotia Co-operative Council)
Quotes:
“I hear it at the grocery store, at the rink and at the doors. Nova Scotians want to stay here, raise their families here and afford a home here. These new homes will soon help more than 40 households put down roots in Pictou and stay close to the people and community they love. Nova Scotia has real momentum right now, and this investment helps keep it going by getting more affordable housing built faster, right where it’s needed most.”
— Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
“The Beeches Road project reflects exactly why Tidal Bay was created – to ensure Nova Scotians have access to stable, community rooted homes that remain affordable for generations. By combining long term stewardship with high quality, sustainable design, we’re building not just housing, but a foundation for stronger, healthier communities.”
— Dion Whyte, Vice-President, Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative
“The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council remains committed to working hand in hand with our federal, provincial, municipal and community partners to keep delivering affordable housing solutions to Pictou and communities across Nova Scotia. Together, we'll continue addressing housing shortages and building stronger, more inclusive communities for the long term, while keeping in mind the value in protecting our community landmarks.”
— Jeff Yuill, CEO, Nova Scotia Co-operative Council
Quick Facts:
- for 2026-27, the Affordable Housing Development Program’s proposed budget has increased by $18.5 million to $33.4 million; up to 140 additional affordable housing units could be supported this year
- housing starts are up 36 per cent over the past two years, and in the first two years of the Province’s housing plan, every goal has been exceeded, with the conditions created for more than 68,000 new housing units
Additional Resources:
Department of Growth and Development housing programs: https://beta.novascotia.ca/housing-programs-department-growth-and-development
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
More information on Our Homes, Action for Housing and the provincial needs assessment report is available at: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/
Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative: https://tidalbaycommunityland.coop/
Nova Scotia Co-operative Council: https://novascotia.coop/