N.S. government announces 3 housing project proposals on provincial land

The Nova Scotia government announced three more prospective housing projects Monday under the province’s Land for Housing program.

The province has entered into conditional agreements with developers on housing initiatives on a 2.5-hectare property on Sherwood Street in Cole Harbour, a 3.6-hectare parcel on Larrigan Drive in Middle Sackville and a three-hectare property on Aberdeen Road in Bridgewater.

“Access to housing has become a real challenge across the province,” said Twila Grosse, MLA for Preston and minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, in making the announcement at Cole Harbour Place on behalf of Housing Minister John Lohr.

“There’s a shortage of supply and that affects affordability,” Grosse said. “Making provincially owned land available for housing is one of the ways we’re working together with our partners to help ensure more people and families have a safe, affordable place to call home.”

The province has agreed to transfer ownership of the properties for a nominal fee, providing that the land be used for housing. 

“I’m very excited to be involved with this program and to play a role in helping to bring much needed housing to the market,” Clark Wilkins, president of Metro Premier Properties, the company that is set to develop the Cole Harbour property, said in a release.

“I believe this project and my experience in land development is going to be very beneficial to the community and the people who call Cole Harbour home,” Wilkins said. “I truly believe, when all levels of government work together with business and community partners, we can make a big difference quickly.”

Chris Britton, director of Millwood Developments, said his company is excited about collaborating with the province and the community to provide affordable housing to the market through the Middle Sackville project.

“We live in the communities where we develop and operate housing units and understand the challenges facing many Canadians,” Britton said. “This project will hopefully be a meaningful part of the housing solution.”

Jordan Perry, president of ARC Developments, which will partner with government on the Bridgewater project, said the company is committed to providing affordable, sustainable housing that enhances community well-being. 

“This initiative reflects a shared vision for a brighter and more equitable future and is a testament to the commitment to pave the way for positive change and sustainable development in the housing sector,” Perry said. “We look forward to collaborating with the community and delivering quality, affordable homes that contribute to a vibrant, connected Bridgewater and Lunenburg municipality.”

Proposed projects are in the early pre-development and conceptual design stages. Developers must continue to work through the municipal planning process, and projects are subject to local planning requirements, provincial laws and environmental regulations.

The province has identified sites from the provincial land inventory that could be used to build housing and has released 28 property opportunity notices. Twenty proposals have been received to date.

Land for housing projects have also been approved for properties in Antigonish, New Minas and Dartmouth.