Strait of Canso area seeks answers to affordable housing woes

A new not-for-profit organization called AtHome Housing Association has been established in southeastern Cape Breton by a collaboration between the local chamber of commerce and two municipal governments in the Strait of Canso area. The organization was officially unveiled at a Housing Matters Forum in Louisdale, Richmond County, with the aim of addressing housing gaps in the region.

The AtHome Housing Association is a joint effort involving the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, Richmond County, and the Town of Port Hawkesbury. Tanya Felix, the executive director of the chamber, expressed her excitement about the project, emphasizing the importance of housing expansion for the growth and development of the area. She highlighted the role of housing in attracting and retaining individuals in the region.

The association, which recently filed for incorporation with the province’s Registry of Joint Stock Companies, initially focused on Port Hawkesbury but later expanded to include Richmond County. The launch event featured discussions on affordable housing campaigns and concerns in various communities, with speakers from organizations such as New Dawn Enterprises and the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association.

Bryanna Zwicker, representing the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association, commended the Strait area for its leadership in advocating for expanded housing options. She noted the deep collaboration and engagement among elected officials, government staff, private developers, and community members in the region.

Liberal MP Jaime Battiste, who now represents the Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish riding, addressed the housing drive in the Strait area during the forum. He acknowledged the challenges of rural housing requests but expressed his commitment to advocating for the community’s needs at the federal level. Battiste promised to raise the housing concerns of the region with Gregor Robertson, the newly appointed federal minister of housing and infrastructure.

The launch of the AtHome Housing Association signifies a significant step towards addressing housing gaps in southeastern Cape Breton. The organization’s collaborative approach and commitment to community engagement bode well for the future of housing expansion in the region.