Nova Scotia and the federal government announced Friday that they will spend $16.6 million to build affordable housing units across the province.
The announcement was made at a senior citizens’ complex operated by Future Growth Co-op in Sydney Mines.
Clarence Dawe, Co-op President, said demand for her units is high as few rental properties are available for less than $1,000 a month.
“We have people on fixed incomes who don’t have fat bank accounts,” Dawe said. “We have a file with so many people looking to downsize.”
Future Growth Co-op received $3.9 million to construct a second building for seniors. Work on the 22-unit complex is already underway. The facility’s one-bedroom units rent for $750 per month.
Dawe said similar homes in the community are renting for about twice that amount.
“Every day people come in looking for an application and we haven’t even announced that we will have equipment available for rent,” he said.
“And when one of you has spoken to the residents here, they are happy, content. And it’s affordable.”
Nine other affordable housing projects were also announced. They are being built in communities stretching from Guysborough to Amherst.
Government officials say they can build a total of 236 new units. They say more than half of the units are listed for rents that are 80 percent or less of the local market average.
Federal and state governments support:
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Stephen Jamael Property Rentals Inc., Sydney, $3.8 million (36 units spread over two projects).
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Future Growth Co-op Ltd., Sydney Mines, $3.9 million (22 units).
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Atlantic Edge Properties Inc., Guysborough, $1.35 million (36 units).
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Tata Holdings Inc., Tatamagouche, $1.2 million (21 units).
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Meech Holdings Inc., Truro, $3 million (56 units).
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Six Point Star Homes Ltd., Amherst, $680,000 (eight units).
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Innovare Properties and Developments Ltd., Westville, $1.25 million (28 units).
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SWH Construction Ltd., Shelburne, $350,000 for (five units).
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Grand Multip Properties Inc., Barrington, $900,000 (24 units).
Cape Breton East MLA Brian Comer said solving the housing crisis will require “bold and aggressive” action and collaboration between all levels of government, developers and community stakeholders.
“We all feel the urgency and we are all committed to solutions,” Comer said.
Jaime Battiste, MP for Sydney-Victoria, said the project will benefit low-income people and provide an economic boost to communities through the provision of civil works.
“The government often steps in when we’re talking about seniors and we’re talking about marginalized communities,” Battiste said. “This is an important area in which we know there is a gap and so we are filling that gap.”
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