The province says it’s five-year affordable home plan is exceeding expectations with nearly 80,000 new units in the works, which is almost double the original target.
The Our Home, Action for Housing plan launched in April 2023 with a goal of around 41,200 affordable units, now 79,100.
‘Our plan is working.’
During a media conference on Wednesday morning, Housing Minister John White said that in addition to surpassing its homebuilding target, the plan “has helped make housing more affordable for more than 25,000 households, and has improved housing conditions for more than 45,000 households.”
He says those numbers matter because they represent people.
“But let me be clear, the work is not complete. No one is declaring victory yet.”
The province says it has been creating these new homes “through generational investments in new non-market housing and by working across all levels of government to cut red tape and fast-track stalled developments.”
White says partnerships with individuals and organizations are key to keeping projects on track, noting that while progress may seem slow, many developments are still waiting on approvals and infrastructure investments before they can be ready for families.
He adds that once developers do get the green light, “housing does not get built overnight,” and many units that started three years ago are only just becoming available now.
“The units started today will take time as well. That is why it’s important to keep moving.”
He says they’re seeing improvements in the market.
“Vacancy rates have improved, increasing from around 1% to 2.6% in Halifax and across the province. Our affordable housing vacancy rate is also inching up.”
‘Today is about people.’
Emphasizing the human impact behind the statistics, White says Wednesday’s update is about reminding Nova Scotian’s that work is being done, and that the plan’s focus should remain on the people in need.
“Each one of those numbers, each one of those units that we build, is a family or an individual being housed.”
White acknowledges the province does not currently have the capacity to build fast enough to meet demand, saying labour shortages and infrastructure costs, including water and sewer services, continue to slow progress.
About 9,000 housing units are currently completed or under construction, but he says he is not satisfied with the pace of development.
“I’d like to have it 90,000. I would, but I can’t do that. What I can do is look at the plan we have in front of us. We’re exceeding the outcomes that were expected. To me, that’s progress.”
White says demand for affordable housing continues to outpace the speed of construction, arguing the issue is not government policy but a shortage of workers to build new homes.
“I don’t think that we need to change a plan that’s shown progress. Is it fast enough? Not by anybody’s standards. The reality is that we’re working in a free economy, and we need developers. It’s a call to action from Cape Breton to Yarmouth.
“If you can build, go out and build.”
White did not say whether the 79,100 units would be finished by the end of their five-year strategy, only that they’re planned, and that the province will continue working with and investing in their industry partners to get families housed faster.
