Halifax Still Needs a Healthier Vacancy Rate
Halifax’s purpose-built rental vacancy rate reached 2.7% in 2025. That was an improvement, but it remained below CMHC’s estimated balanced range of 3.0% to 4.5%.
WHY?
A low vacancy rate means fewer available homes and less freedom for renters to move for work, family, accessibility or affordability.
When vacancy moves into a healthier range, renters have more negotiating power and housing providers face greater pressure to offer competitive rents, service and amenities.
SUPPORTING STORY CMHC—2025 Rental Market Report
THE BETTER DIRECTION FOR NOVA SCOTIA
The Government of Nova Scotia should set a measurable goal of restoring and maintaining a healthy vacancy rate and review every proposed rental policy against one practical question: will it add and retain rental homes, or make the shortage harder to solve?