Nova Scotia government lays out plan to reduce 41,000-home shortage by 2028

Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative government has released a housing plan it says will help address new projections the province will face a shortage of more than 41,000 homes by 2028.

The housing needs study released today by consultant Turner Drake & Partners says rapid inflation, shortages of labour and one of the fastest population growth rates in the country has already created a shortage of 27,300 units in the province.

Housing Minister John Lohr announced the province will make $1-billion in investments over the next five years “to create the conditions” for additional housing, but there is no firm commitment to build more publicly owned housing.

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Lohr said the province will continue with “12 key actions,” which include helping community groups build 17,250 “more affordable units,” increased spending to repair existing units, and reductions in regulations for builders.

The minister also says the province will be “nimble” in tying in with federal housing initiatives, as it attempts to increase it current level of about 6,000 new housing units being built per year.

However, the opposition parties criticized the government for not committing to building publicly owned housing and argued the plan lacks specifics.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2023.