Where the parties stand on housing affordability

The Liberal and NDP parties have been trying to make housing affordability and availability a key issue in the provincial election. 

In the final day of the campaign, the Liberals promised to create a rent bank and the NDP repeated its pledge to build hundreds of rent-to-own starter homes across the province.

The Consumer Price Index indicates the cost of housing across the province has increased by 26 per cent over the past four years. In Halifax, housing prices have increased by 28 per cent. 

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Rental Market Report states the vacancy rate in Halifax is one per cent, with average rent sitting at $1,628. Residents currently searching for available apartments in Halifax can see rental listings for a one-bedroom unit ranging in cost from $1,200 to $1,950 per month. 

The Progressive Conservative government instituted a two per cent rent cap in 2020 and raised it to five per cent in 2023. Landlords can now raise a tenant’s rent up to five per cent each year until the end of 2027.  

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now held a protest in downtown Halifax on Friday to protest the lack of affordable housing. Margaretann McHugh, who attended the rally, said “between the NDP and the Liberals … it’s really about who you trust.” 

Each party is offering different solutions for affordable housing. 

Liberal Party 

Liberal leader Zach Churchill has committed to building more affordable homes for new buyers and zoning new homes near universities for students. Churchill’s platform states the party’s goal is to create an environment “where no Nova Scotian needs to pay more than 30 per cent of their income on housing.”  

One aspect of this plan is to build 1,000 new homes a year to a total of 80,000 by 2032. To tackle student housing issues, the Liberal party has pledged to “ensure appropriate zoning to encourage density near our province’s universities.” 

The party platform states it would fund housing for seniors and women fleeing domestic violence. The Liberals would also “work with African Nova Scotian groups and Mi’kmaq communities to ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to affordable housing.” 

New Democratic Party  

Claudia Chender, leader of the NDP, has pledged to lower the rent cap and build more sustainable and affordable homes. The NDP platform states, “A good home is the foundation of our lives. It’s at the centre of our kids’ futures, our parents’ security, and our communities’ heart and soul.” 

Chender promised to further limit rent increases to two and a half per cent, half of the current five per cent increase.  

An NDP government would also operate a rent-to-own starter home program, that would combine “more home construction with lower up-front costs for first-time buyers.” 

Chender also promises a government would help build an initial 30,000 new homes by leveraging federal funds and encouraging development across all non-market housing.  

Progressive Conservative Party

The Progressive Conservative party platform touts the government’s creation of a downpayment assistance program to help Nova Scotians pre-qualify for a mortgage with a loan of up to five per cent of a home’s purchase price as a down payment.

Leader Tim Houston is promising to create conditions for the building of 41,200 housing units by 2028 and 17,250 affordable units.

The party’s campaign platform also promises to implement a first-time homeowner’s program. This initiative would partner with credit unions to allow new homeowners to put only two per cent down on a home valued up to $500,000.