N.S. government releases 5-year housing plan

Nova Scotia's housing minister released a five-year strategy on Monday that he says represents at least $1 billion in provincial government spending and will create conditions to build at least 41,200 housing units. But opposition politicians did not see enough detail to have confidence in that projection.

John Lohr said releasing the plan and the provincial housing needs assessment speaks to the magnitude of the problem facing the province, and the work that needs to happen to create more housing that is affordable.

"We recognize there is a massive need," the minister told reporters during a news conference in Halifax.

"This is a call to action for us."

The strategy outlines steps the government has already taken, and will take in the next five years to address the housing crisis. Vacancy rates have been hovering at about one per cent across the province, while rents and home purchase prices have also been experiencing double-digit percentage increases.

In 2022-23, the province spent $266 million on housing. Lohr's announcement Monday of $1 billion would represent average annual spending lower than that for the next five years, although the minister said he expected the province to exceed $1 billion.

Using population modeling from the province, the housing needs assessment says it will take about 80,400 new units in the next 10 years to meet anticipated demand. A growing number of people surveyed for the assessment reported having to forgo things such as food and recreation in order to pay their housing costs. Others reported that they could no longer afford to buy a home.

Only 30 per cent of couples, six per cent of lone parents and two per cent of single people earn the annual income of $130,000 or more required to afford median single or semi-detached homes, according to the needs assessment.

Changing that trend will take effort from all levels of government, the private sector and not-for-profit organizations, said Lohr.

The needs assessment found that if the government met its five-year targets, vacancy rates would increase to three per cent and housing costs would return to 2016 levels, adjusted for inflation.

"It's about all of us working together. We all play important roles in the provision of housing and must work together to make significant change."

As part of the housing needs assessment, each of the province's 49 municipalities received a report focused on the needs of their respective communities. The province did not release those reports, saying it would be up to each municipality to do so.

The five-year strategy largely highlights steps the government has previously announced and plans to build upon, such as creating 222 new public housing units, tabling sweeping legislation to give Lohr more direct control over development in Halifax Regional Municipality, designating provincial land for housing development, removing the provincial portion of HST from new apartment construction costs, and creating a program that provides funding for people who build secondary suites on their property.

The strategy was developed following public consultations that heard from more than 20,000 people.