African Nova Scotian housing strategy launched, but more funding still needed

The Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Council has recently launched an innovative community-led housing strategy aimed at increasing access to affordable housing for African Nova Scotians. This groundbreaking plan, unveiled at the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook, N.S., is the culmination of years of research and consultation with the African Nova Scotian community.

Led by Sunday Miller, the council has developed a comprehensive housing strategy in collaboration with SHS Consulting and the Black Planning Project. Funded by the provincial government and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the plan outlines four key initiatives to address the housing crisis faced by African Nova Scotians. These initiatives include the establishment of a community bank to gather capital resources, the creation of a community land trust, the development of a housing hub as a central resource, and the creation of a toolkit to navigate the housing development process.

The strategy also emphasizes the importance of increasing non-market housing supply, maintaining aging housing stock, and developing diverse housing options to support African Nova Scotians in historic communities. Research conducted with input from 197 community members highlighted the challenges faced by African Nova Scotian households, including a growing trend towards renting over homeownership.

To support the implementation of the strategy, the province’s Department of African Nova Scotian Affairs has allocated $270,000 to hire an executive to establish a governance model and engage potential funders. However, Miller stressed the need for additional financial support from federal, provincial, and municipal levels to make the strategy a success.

While the provincial government has expressed support for the plan, Minister of Growth and Development Colton LeBlanc indicated that no financial commitments have been made yet. He affirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with the African Nova Scotian community to address their housing needs.

In conclusion, the new community-led housing strategy holds great promise for improving access to affordable housing for African Nova Scotians. However, its long-term success will depend on securing adequate financial support from all levels of government. By working collaboratively and investing in this vital initiative, we can create a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape for all members of the community.