Unused land to assist with affordable housing expansion in Antigonish

Colleen Cameron has never seen such a high demand for housing as today.

Cameron, the interim president of the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society, says a group monitoring the number of people in Antigonish and Guysborough counties who are homeless or in vulnerable housing situations has a list of 280 people.

“That’s unheard of,” she said in an interview. “Before, when they started, you had eight, maybe 10 people.”

Today, the community needs all the help it can get, Cameron said. With St. FX University, a regional hospital, and general market demand putting the cost of housing out of reach for some people and limiting supply to a trickle, there must be other options.

That’s why Cameron and her association welcomed news Monday from the Nova Scotia government that they would be awarded land to expand an affordable housing project in Antigonish that opened 12 units last year.

More than just a door and a roof

The expansion, which is expected to open in 2025, will have 14 units for rent at 75 percent of the market price in the region. At least four of the units will be barrier-free and the project will be net zero through the use of solar energy and other efficiencies.

Bruce Dow, chairman of the association’s building committee, said a key feature of the development is the way it fosters a sense of community.

There is a shared laundry room, common room and shared garden space. Tenants come from a variety of backgrounds and ages, a deliberate effort to create a diverse community.

“We know that communities and housing need more than just a door and a roof.”

Dow said the approach helps society achieve its vision of breaking the cycle of poverty and improving the lives of low- and moderate-income people.

“We provide highly affordable housing that is financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.”

Health Secretary Michelle Thompson, the MLA for Antigonish, said it makes sense to support the project because of the success of the community’s efforts to date and continued community demand for affordable housing.

“As a county, we have unused land that may be suitable for housing and the calculation was easy. Making these lots available for community housing projects is one of the ways we can put our stamp on housing.”

Thompson also announced three nonprofit housing projects in Halifax Regional Municipality on behalf of Secretary of Housing John Lohr.

Affirmative Ventures will develop a supportive housing development in Westphal, consisting of six detached one- and two-bedroom units, as well as an emergency shelter.

One World Building Association will build 32 townhouses on Hammonds Plains Road with room for future development.

And Spryfield Social Enterprises and Affordable Housing Society will build 48 housing units and commercial space in a mixed-use building on Herring Cove Road.

All four projects will receive land from the county for a nominal fee as part of a government initiative to free up unused county land for new housing projects.