More Options for Affordable Housing
More affordable housing options are coming to Halifax Regional Municipality and Bridgewater.
Today, November 20, Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and MLA for Preston, on behalf of Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr, announced three more prospective projects under the Province’s Land for Housing Program.
“Access to housing has become a real challenge across the province,” said Minister Grosse. “There’s a shortage of supply and that affects affordability. Making provincially owned land available for housing is one of the ways we’re working together with our partners to help ensure more people and families have a safe, affordable place to call home.”
The Province has entered conditional agreements with developers for proposed affordable housing initiatives at the following properties:
- 2.5 hectares on Sherwood Street, Cole Harbour (PID 40606345 in the Province’s land registry), with Metro Premier Properties Inc.
- 3.6 hectares on Larrigan Drive, Middle Sackville (PID 40634735), with Millwood Developments
- 3.03 hectares on Aberdeen Road, Bridgewater (PID 60047693), with ARC Developments.
Proposed projects are in the early pre-development and conceptual design stages. Developers must continue to work through the municipal planning process, and projects are subject to local planning requirements, provincial laws and environmental regulations.
Quotes:
“I’m very excited to be involved with this program and to play a role in helping to bring much needed housing to the market. I believe this project and my experience in land development is going to be very beneficial to the community and the people who call Cole Harbour home. I truly believe, when all levels of government work together with business and community partners, we can make a big difference quickly.”
– Clark Wilkins, President, Metro Premier Properties Inc.
“Our group is excited about collaborating with the Province and community to provide supply and affordable housing to the market. We live in the communities where we develop and operate housing units and understand the challenges facing many Canadians. This project will hopefully be a meaningful part of the housing solution.”
– Chris Britton, Director, Millwood Developments
“We are honoured to be selected for Nova Scotia’s Land for Housing Program in Bridgewater. ARC Developments is committed to providing affordable, sustainable housing that enhances community well-being. Sincere thanks to the Province for their trust and partnership to help us achieve our mutual goals. This initiative reflects a shared vision for a brighter and more equitable future and is a testament to the commitment to pave the way for positive change and sustainable development in the housing sector. We look forward to collaborating with the community and delivering quality, affordable homes that contribute to a vibrant, connected Bridgewater and Lunenburg municipality.”
– Jordan Perry, President, ARC Developments
Quick Facts:
- the Province has agreed to transfer ownership of the properties for a nominal fee, providing that the land be used for housing
- the Province has identified sites from the provincial land inventory that could be used to build housing; 28 property opportunity notices have been released, with 20 proposals received to date
- land for housing projects have also been approved for properties in Antigonish, New Minas and Dartmouth
Additional Resources:
More information on the Land for Housing Program and links to property opportunity notices are available at: https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/land-for-housing
The government’s five-year housing plan – Our Homes, Action for Housing: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/
A Healthy Nova Scotia: Solutions for Housing and Homelessness:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/solutions-housing-and-homelessness/
Mandate letter for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-MAH-EMO-MR.pdf