HRM Surplus Land Pilot Produces One Affordable Housing Project So Far
Halifax’s pilot program to make surplus municipal land available for affordable housing has resulted in one approved development from the four properties initially offered. Municipal officials say the program remains a valuable tool for reducing land costs for non-profit housing providers, but the limited uptake highlights the challenges of delivering affordable housing even when land is provided at little or no cost.
*For Nova Scotia’s housing sector, the outcome illustrates that land is only one component of housing affordability. Financing, construction costs, labour availability, and project economics continue to influence whether proposed developments proceed. The results suggest that while surplus public land can help increase affordable housing supply, additional measures may be needed to accelerate housing development and achieve broader affordability objectives.
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