N.S. government increases budget for community housing programs
CBC
Cuts to jobs and programs have received the bulk of attention since Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative government tabled its budget last week, but spending is up in some departments, including housing.
The department has $57 million more this year than last, an increase of 14 per cent. Within that, programs directed at affordable housing owned by non-profit groups are getting a boost of nearly $37 million — 80 per cent more than was budgeted for those programs last year.
“Community housing programs are really where we’re seeing a big impact,” Housing Minister John White told reporters Tuesday.
Dartmouth-based non-profit group Rooted has dipped into several provincial programs in recent years to dramatically increase its portfolio of housing.
In 2025, it bought 10 buildings with close to 300 units to preserve affordability, and it finished construction of an 18-unit apartment building in Cole Harbour that includes a mix of affordable and market rates.
Dylan Ward, Rooted's director of real estate development, said he knows the provincial budget spells “tricky times” for a lot of other organizations, and he’s happy to see the budget for housing go up.
The boost creates an opportunity to stack provincial programs with federal ones, he said, as Ottawa expands the scope of its Crown corporation Build Canada Homes.
“Strike while the iron is hot, is what we’re saying, and what we’re hoping is a shared sentiment with the province,” Ward said.
Opposition leaders said they welcome the top up to community housing programs, but they’re waiting to see results.
“The reality is our housing market is still unaffordable for most Nova Scotians that make anywhere near a median income,” said NDP Leader Claudia Chender.
“Increased inputs don’t necessarily result in better outcomes,” said Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin.
The budget for rent supplements is also up, adding about 2,000 new supplements for a total of 11,500.
But other lines within the housing budget have dipped. The province is eliminating the rent rehabilitation assistance program, designed to help landlords make improvements in exchange for affordability for up to 15 years.
White said in the legislature last week that the program has been underutilized, and he thinks investments in community housing have more value.
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