Nova ScotiaThe Nova Scotia government has announced four communities where dozens of new public housing units will be built, as part of its promise two years ago to invest in the sector. 64 units are part of multi-year commitment from PC governmentHaley Ryan · CBC News · Posted: Nov 27, 2025 11:05 AM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Public housing units are shown in Halifax. The province has announced four new locations for public housing in rural communities and small towns around Nova Scotia. (Jonathan Villeneuve/Radio Canada)The Nova Scotia government has announced four communities where dozens of new public housing units will be built as part of its promise two years ago to invest in the sector.On Thursday, the province said it has selected sites in Middleton, Windsor, Shubenacadie and Springhill for the construction of 64 new public housing units.Housing Minister John White said Build Nova Scotia has new criteria to evaluate sites and ensure they are “shovel-ready.””We’re really happy we’re working with them,” White told reporters after a cabinet meeting Thursday. “Partnering with Build Nova Scotia has really fast-tracked the process.”The housing will be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments located at:Sunset Crescent in Middleton, with up to 24 units.Crossley Court in Windsor, up to 16 units.Mill Village Road in Shubenacadie, up to 16 units.Junction Road in Springhill, up to eight units.Mayor Rod Gilroy of the Municipality of Cumberland said the housing is “much-needed” in his area and the Springhill site is an ideal location.“Being within walking distance of downtown amenities — our grocery store, the bank, the post office, the community centre and other services — means residents will have convenient access to the things they need every day. That walkability strengthens our downtown and keeps people connected to the heart of the community,” Gilroy said in the release.All sites on provincial land, near servicesThe sites, all on provincially owned land, were selected using criteria that included land ownership, size, readiness for development, safety and distance to essential services, and employment opportunities.N.S. firm zzap Architecture and Planning is now working on initial designs for the new projects that will confirm the number and size of units, scale of the buildings, access to the sites, and other details.White said tenders to build the units will be issued in the new year once those designs are complete, and construction could begin in the spring.In September, Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc said tenders for proposed public housing projects had come back “much higher” than expected. He said the province was considering alternative approaches, such as pre-approved designs, to help keep costs under control while speeding up the process.When asked how the province could handle a similar result with this new round of tenders for the 64 units, White said he is confident a “variety” of options will come back through the process.Housing Minister John White speaks with reporters in Halifax on Thursday. (Taryn Grant/CBC)”All options are on the table, for sure. So stick framing or modular [units], whichever comes back that provides the best value for the province will be what we’ll choose,” White said.Under public housing’s model that bases rent on income, tenants do not pay more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.In 2023, the Progressive Conservatives announced plans to build 222 new public housing units — the first new units in 30 years. Earlier this year, the government said it intended to more than double that. WATCH | New modular building will welcome 24 residents:A look at some of the new public housing in DigbyThe eight-plex is almost ready to welcome new residents. Nicola Seguin went on a tour.In total, the Tories plan to build 464 new public housing units and 51 modular housing units over the next five years.The 515 new public housing units will provide homes to more than 1,300 people, but that will not resolve the waitlist of people needing housing. The waitlist for a spot in Nova Scotia’s public housing system had topped 8,200 people as of September.MORE TOP STORIES ABOUT THE AUTHORHaley Ryan is the municipal affairs reporter for CBC covering mainland Nova Scotia. Got a story idea? Send an email to haley.ryan@cbc.ca, or reach out on Twitter @hkryan17. With files from Michael Gorman
Nova Scotia announces 4 new locations for public housing
