Affordable Housing Development Program

Who can apply

Eligible projects

Eligible projects need to:

1. be in Nova Scotia (but not on a reserve)
2. be a single site, building or portfolio project with self-contained rental units (including single room and studio units) that provide permanent housing with 12-month tenancies (leases)
3. create affordable rental units for low to moderate income households
4. offer rent that’s at least 20% below average market rent for the location and be under the maximum rent allowed for the community based on household income limits
5. be primarily residential
6. include at least 5 affordable rental units and offer the units at affordable rental rates for at least 15 years
7. involve new construction, conversion of a non-residential building or the renovation of an existing, fully vacant, multi-unit building
8. be financially viable to build and operate for the entire affordability period
9. meet Building Code minimum standards for energy efficiency and accessibility
10. have a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment or environmental approvals through the Department of Environment and Climate Change for the proposed site (the site can’t be built on a flood plain or floodway fringe)
11. not include additional fees for services (like internet, cable or storage) in proposed rent for affordable residential rental units (additional fees for services need to be optional)
12. have reasonable access to personal and professional services, retail businesses, recreation facilities, educational institutions and public transportation (access to public transportation may be waived for communities where there’s demonstrated demand for proposed rental units)

The program also considers projects already under construction.

You can apply for funding if you’re a private developer or community housing (co-operative or non-profit) developer.

You need to:

1. be registered and in good standing with Registry of Joint Stock Companies or under provincial or territorial legislation in Canada and are authorized to operate in Nova Scotia
2. have a minimum of 5 years of property management experience or engage a professional third-party property management company
3. have successfully completed a similar scale project on time and on budget or you must have a fixed-price contract with a general contractor with experience building similar projects
4. have financial resources to fund cost overruns
5. meet equity requirements

Equity requirements

Private developers need to make a minimum equity contribution of 20% of the project’s eligible capital development costs in the form of cash or unencumbered land.

Community housing groups need to make a minimum equity contribution of 5% of the project’s eligible capital development costs in the form of cash or unencumbered land.