News release

Veterans, Families to Save Money on Rent

Municipal Affairs and Housing

Veterans and families caring for a child with a severe mental or physical disability will soon save on their public housing rent costs.

The Province will now exclude the veterans’ disability pension and the child disability benefit when calculating how much rent someone will pay in public housing.

This means someone receiving the veterans’ disability pension would see their public housing rent decrease by as much as $100 per month. A family receiving the child disability benefit could save about $60 per month.

“We are working hard to make housing more affordable, and this is one more thing we can do to help,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I hope this change makes life a bit easier for our veterans, people with disabilities and their families.”

This change takes effect December 1. Staff will contact current tenants and rent-supplement clients to confirm whether they are eligible. Tenants can also call their local housing authority to discuss eligibility.

People who receive one of these two benefits, but don’t live in public housing, may also qualify if they are receiving a rent supplement from the Province. With this change, the Province may recalculate their income, resulting in a greater supplement.

Quotes “If you don’t have a lot of money, $100 a month is significant and can provide a measure of relief and comfort to the veteran and their family. This is a recognition that their service for their country is appreciated.”

  • Peter Kerr, National Association of Federal Retirees

Quick Facts:

  • there are more than 17,000 Nova Scotians living in public housing units across the province
  • on average, public housing residents pay $456 a month rent
  • as of September 2021, the Province was providing over 4,000 rent supplements to Nova Scotians across the province; the average rent supplement is $327 per month
  • there are currently 35 people living in public housing who receive the veterans’ disability pension; complete statistics on how many people will benefit from this change are not available

Additional Resources:

Mandate letter of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-MAH-EMO-MR.pdf

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