Government Grants for Affordable Housing in Nova Scotia: A Builder’s Complete Guide (2025 Update)

Are you a developer, non-profit, or cooperative looking to build affordable housing in Nova Scotia? With rising demand and a low rental vacancy rate across the province, the federal, provincial, and municipal governments are offering unprecedented financial support to help you build or retrofit affordable housing units.

In this complete guide, we’ll break down the top government grants for builders in Nova Scotia, eligibility requirements, application tips, and how to maximize your affordable housing funding.

Why Affordable Housing Grants Matter in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is facing a housing crisis. Rental vacancy rates remain critically low, especially in urban areas like Halifax. As a result, government funding has increased at all levels to incentivize the construction of affordable and attainable housing. For builders and developers, these programs present a unique opportunity to access grants, forgivable loans, and infrastructure funding to make affordable housing projects financially viable.

Top Affordable Housing Grants and Funding Programs for Nova Scotia Builders

1. Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Development Program

This is the primary provincial grant for building affordable rental housing.

Who Can Apply:

Private developers
Non-profit housing organizations
Housing co-operatives

Key Requirements:

Minimum of 5 affordable rental units
Rents must be 20% below market rates
15+ years affordability commitment
New builds, building conversions, or renovation of vacant multi-units
Cannot be used for purchasing existing occupied buildings

Key Benefits:

Direct construction cost support
Long-term project viability
Annual compliance monitoring

2. Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF)

A $170.9M federal-provincial fund over 10 years to support infrastructure critical to housing development.

Eligible Infrastructure:

Water and wastewater systems
Stormwater management
Solid waste infrastructure

Builder Benefits:

Reduced upfront development costs
Lower municipal development charges
Improved project feasibility

3. CMHC Affordable Housing Programs (Federal)

Administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), these programs are designed for builders focused on affordability, energy efficiency, and innovation.

Key Programs Include:

Affordable Housing Fund (forgivable loans & capital contributions)
Innovation Fund
Apartment Construction Loan Program
Rapid Housing Initiative
Greener Affordable Housing (for energy retrofits)

Eligible Projects:

New construction
Major repairs or renovations
Mixed-use and multi-unit affordable housing
To learn more about different CHMC options, including the MLI Select Program, please click here

4. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Affordable Housing Grant

For builders operating within the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Who Can Apply:

Registered non-profits
Charitable housing organizations

Funding Supports:

New builds
Repairs and retrofits
Conversion of commercial or institutional buildings
Pre-development and planning
Purchase of properties for affordable housing use

Program Impact (2021–Present):

205 affordable units created
304 affordable units preserved through repair

5. Community Housing Growth Fund (CHGF)

This provincial fund supports non-profit housing sector capacity and planning.

Available Grant Streams:

Planning & Pre-Development
Capacity Building
Innovation & Research

Goal: To strengthen Nova Scotia’s community housing ecosystem by increasing supply and improving delivery models.

6. Secondary and Backyard Suite Program (Nova Scotia)

Offers forgivable loans to homeowners building a secondary suite or backyard suite.

Program Details:

Suite must be attached to or on the same property as the primary residence
Loans are forgivable based on meeting affordability and occupancy criteria
Ideal for increasing gentle density in urban and suburban neighbourhoods
For more info about Backyard Suites, Please Click Here

How to Maximize Your Affordable Housing Funding

✅ Combine Funding from Multiple Levels

The most successful projects layer municipal, provincial, and federal funding. Here’s a typical funding stack:

CMHC forgivable loan (federal)
Infrastructure support via CHIF (federal/provincial)
NS Affordable Housing Program grant (provincial)
HRM Affordable Housing Grant (municipal)
Private investment or financing

✅ Prepare a Strong Grant Application

Before Applying:

Review program guides and eligibility
Create detailed development budgets and timelines
Understand affordability requirements and compliance expectations

Application Tips:

Connect with funding program officers early
Prepare a professional business case and supporting documents
Watch for funding intake periods and deadlines
Engage an affordable housing consultant if needed

Contact Information for Housing Grants in Nova Scotia

🔹 Provincial Affordable Housing Programs

Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage
📞 902-424-4506
📧 communitiesns@novascotia.ca
🌐 https://cch.novascotia.ca

Provincial Enquiries Centre
📞 1-800-670-4357
🌐 https://beta.novascotia.ca/contact-us

🔹 Federal CMHC Affordable Housing Funding

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
📞 1-800-668-2642
📧 contact@cmhc.ca
🌐 https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

💡 Pro Tip: Always speak with a CMHC specialist before applying to confirm eligibility and streamline the process.

The Future of Affordable Housing in Nova Scotia

With multiple affordable housing grant programs now available, Nova Scotia offers one of the most robust support systems in Canada for builders and developers. Whether you’re creating a 5-unit building or planning a 50-unit community development, there has never been a better time to access funding and build affordable housing.

Get Started Today

If you’re planning to develop affordable housing in Nova Scotia:

Start early by reviewing program guidelines
Prepare your budgets and compliance plans
Contact government grant administrators
Consider stacking funding sources for maximum impact

These housing grants can significantly reduce your upfront costs, improve project cash flow, and ensure long-term viability. Don’t leave funding on the table—take advantage of these government programs today.