Nova Scotia public housing waitlist hits 8,200 people

The demand for public housing in Nova Scotia continues to rise, with over 8,200 people currently on the waitlist for a unit. This represents an increase of more than 1,200 since last October, according to recent access to information documents obtained by the Opposition NDP.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender expressed concern over the growing waitlist, attributing it to the unaffordability of housing in the province. She emphasized that many individuals are turning to public housing as a last resort due to the lack of affordable options in the private market.

The updated figures reveal that the metro district has the highest demand, with 3,545 people waiting for a unit. The western, northern, and Cape Breton districts also have significant numbers of individuals on the waitlist. The majority of those waiting are in need of one-bedroom units.

Furthermore, the disclosure package showed that 47% of people on the waitlist are seniors, as defined by the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency. This highlights the urgent need for more affordable housing options for vulnerable populations in the province.

While the government has announced programs to address the housing crisis, including the construction of new public housing units, progress has been slow. Chender called for immediate action to help those on the waitlist, such as closing the fixed-term lease loophole that allows landlords to bypass rent increase caps.

Despite these challenges, there are some positive developments, such as the opening of an affordable housing building in Cole Harbour. However, more needs to be done to address the growing demand for public housing in Nova Scotia.

For more information on this issue, please visit the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency’s website.