More than 65% of Nova Scotians experienced a housing challenge in the past year: StatsCan

Terri Singer and her family have been facing a housing crisis for almost a year now. After being evicted from their rental home in Truro, N.S. in October 2023, they have been living in one room, sharing a bed and a pull-out couch in hotels and a family member’s living room. Singer’s husband lost his job, leaving the family with only her salary from working at a local hotel. Despite trying to frame their situation as an adventure, the reality of their homelessness is hitting hard.

Their story is just one of many in Nova Scotia facing housing challenges. Statistics Canada data shows that 66 per cent of Nova Scotians have experienced housing challenges related to affordability, suitability, condition, or discrimination in the past year. Additionally, 41 per cent of people in the province are very concerned about their ability to afford housing due to rising costs.

Nora Richter, a housing support worker at Adsum for Women and Children, a Halifax non-profit, has seen a substantial increase in demand for housing assistance. Many families are becoming homeless for the first time, often due to legal evictions, and struggle to find affordable housing options. Adsum supports over 60 homeless families in hotel rooms, including Singer’s family, with funding from the provincial government.

Keely Corrigan, another Nova Scotian, experienced a drastic rent increase after her building was emptied out by new owners. Her rent more than doubled, putting a strain on her finances as a full-time call centre agent. Despite working hard, she struggles to afford basic necessities and save for the future.

There is some hope on the horizon for families like Singer’s, as they recently secured a spot in The Rose, Adsum’s new affordable housing building in Halifax. The rental market is showing signs of relief, with Halifax’s average vacancy rate rising and rental construction starts hitting a record high. However, salaries are not keeping up with housing costs, and rent increases on turnover remain high.

Richter emphasizes the need for more sustainable solutions to create affordable housing. While temporary measures provide some relief, they do not offer the security and stability that families need to thrive. It is crucial for all levels of government to work together to address the housing crisis and ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.