Nova Scotia buys Lunenburg motel to convert into housing for health-care workers

LUNENBURG, N.S. — The Nova Scotia government has bought a motel to house health-care workers on the South Shore.

The province announced plans to convert the former Wheelhouse Motel in Lunenburg into mixed-income housing on Monday. The site will include up to 12 one-bedroom units along with six townhouses suitable for families.

Health-care workers will be given priority to rent the units, but skilled-trades professionals will also be considered if there are vacancies.

Rent will be based on worker income.

“We need more professionals for our health-care system, and that means attracting people from across Canada and around the world to our province,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson.

“Having available housing in places outside Halifax Regional Municipality is key to attracting much-needed staff and keeping them here.”

The first phase of this project costs $4.7 million — $1.5 million to buy the property, $1.4 million to renovate it and $1.8 million for six modular townhouses.

The Housing Trust of Nova Scotia will manage the funding and logistics for the housing.

Contractors and other suppliers have yet to be selected as the site is still in the design phase.

More details about the housing will be released at a later date.