More Affordable Housing Coming to Kings County
Seniors, families and people from diverse communities will soon have more affordable housing options in New Minas.
Under the Land for Housing Initiative, the Province is providing Valley Roots Housing Association 0.7 hectares of provincially owned land on Highbury Road. The association has proposed the development of a pocket neighbourhood made up of 24 affordable units, including two fully accessible units, where people will be able to live independently within their own community setting.
“Demand for housing is high and supply is low. We know that increasing housing supply is the answer,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Making unused provincial land available for housing projects like this is one way we are working with communities to end the housing crisis.”
The proposed co-operative housing development features a mix of one- to three-bedroom units with passive solar design to support a goal to achieve net-zero energy efficiency. Proposed rents will be affordable at or below 80 per cent of the average market rate.
Pre-development planning and design work has started, with the aim to break ground by early 2024. This will be the first development for Valley Roots Housing Association.
A rendering of the proposed project and photos of the location are at: https://news-feeds.novascotia.ca/photos/2023/05/08/proposed-affordable-housing-development-new-minas
Quotes:
“I am so pleased with the number and quality of proposals we are receiving through the Land for Housing Initiative. Innovative projects and community partnerships like this one are helping to add much-needed supply and increase access to affordable housing for low-to-modest income Nova Scotians.”
– John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“The housing crisis has brought municipalities, community agencies, businesses and government together in the Annapolis Valley to find sustainable and attainable housing solutions for our residents. This opportunity with the Province will be the first of several neighbourhood developments we have planned throughout the Valley, utilizing a unified co-operative housing model. Special thanks to the Village of New Minas, County of Kings, Town of Kentville, Portal Youth Outreach Association, Community Inclusion Society, Open Arms Society, Canadian Mental Health Association NS, and Valley Community Learning Association for their commitment to making this happen.”
– Mary Fox, Executive Director, Community Inclusion Association and Vice-Chair, Valley Roots Housing Association
“The Municipality of the County of Kings was proud to contribute $50,000 to the Portal for the Valley Roots Housing Association in support of the work that led to this development. This is a cause that directly aligns with the municipality’s vision of being a community of communities where all people belong. The municipality recognizes the need for more affordable housing options in Kings County, and municipal council commends the Valley Roots Housing Association for spearheading this initiative. Today’s announcement shows us all the power of commitment and elicits excitement for the day these proposed housing units become homes."
– Peter Muttart, Mayor, Municipality of the County of Kings
“The Village of New Minas is excited about the upcoming transfer of provincially owned land on Highbury Road, New Minas, to Valley Roots Housing Association to create 24 affordable housing units. Affordable housing is an important matter that all levels of government can work on together. This initiative will be beneficial to the future residents who will live there as well as the Village at large.”
– Tim Bouter, Clerk Treasurer/CAO, Village of New Minas, on behalf of the village commission
Quick Facts:
- the Province has agreed to transfer the property to the association for a nominal fee, providing that the land be used for housing and that all 24 units are affordable
- the Province identified 37 sites from the provincial land inventory that could be used to build housing; 25 property opportunity notices have been released, with 20 proposals received to date
- this is the third proposal announced under the land for housing program; projects were also approved for properties in Windsor and Dartmouth
- an estimated 4,000 new homes could be built through the program
Additional Resources:
More information on the Land for Housing Initiative and links to property opportunity notices are available at: https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/land-for-housing
A Healthy Nova Scotia: Solutions for Housing and Homelessness:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/solutions-housing-and-homelessness/
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