Nova Scotia is building new affordable housing
Much of it is intended for students at local universities.
The province of Nova Scotia is stepping up to tackle affordable housing. As many as two massive construction projects were announced this week.
Housing for students
New student housing will be built at four Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses to provide students with more affordable options while easing pressure on local housing supply.
Housing will be solved for 270 students in one fell swoop. Construction will take place at the NSCC Cumberland campus in Springhill (40 beds), the Kingstec Campus in Kentville (90 beds), the Lunenburg Campus in Bridgewater (40 beds) and the Institute of Technology in Halifax (100 beds). Combined with three other projects currently under construction, they will increase the total number of new NSCC student residences promised in 2021 to 620.
"Taking action to deliver more housing options will help students study in their community of choice," said Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education. He added that the accommodation solutions should attract applicants from across Canada and beyond to the province.
There are currently approximately 2,250 students enrolled at the four designated campuses.
Affordable housing for all
More affordable housing options are coming to Halifax and Bridgewater, too. Three promising new projects are being launched under the province's Land for Housing Program. The idea is that the province agrees to transfer ownership of real estate for a nominal fee on the condition that the land is used for housing.
Nova Scotia has entered into agreements with developers at the following sites:
- 2.5 hectares on Sherwood Street, Cole Harbor — with Metro Premier Properties Inc;
- 3.6 hectares on Larrigan Drive, Middle Sackville — with Millwood Developments;
- 3.03 hectares at Aberdeen Road, Bridgwater — with ARC Developments.
The proposed projects are in the early stages of preliminary engineering and conceptual design. They are subject to local planning requirements, provincial laws and environmental regulations.
