Province spends $15.7 million on Fairview properties to protect affordable housing

Three properties in Halifax’s Fairview neighbourhood have been acquired by the province for $15.7 million to protect affordable housing in the city.

Housing Minister John White, who announced the project on Tuesday afternoon, said the investments have long-term benefits for the community.

“These properties were purchased and preserved, ensuring they remain affordable. Not just for today, but for years to come,” said White, “and in return, an investment will continue to grow and get back to our communities.”

The project is a collaboration between the provincial government’s Department of Growth and Development and the Housing Trust of Nova Scotia. Ninety housing units across the three properties have been acquired and granted protection by the housing trust, with 62 cited as affordable units.

These protected units are located at:

• 16 Mandaville Court, the meeting’s venue, with 44 units, and 31 considered affordable
• 23 Westgrove Place with 24 units, where 15 units are considered affordable
• 299 Main Ave. with 22 units, where 16 units are considered affordable

Nearly all of the units within these properties are occupied. The province said in a release that the buildings have a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, and rents include heat, hot water and parking. The rents on the units considered affordable range from $828 to $1,600 a month.

White says the project offers a sense of security for current tenants.

“They don’t have to worry about their rent suddenly jumping. They don’t have to worry about being displaced,” said White. “That peace of mind is invaluable.”

The acquisition of these properties by the Housing Trust of Nova Scotia was funded through two programs that provide fixed interest rate loans and equity grants to non-profit housing organizations.

Housing Trust executive director Angela Bishop said during the announcement that acquiring these units is crucial in maintaining affordable housing in Halifax.

“The three buildings we acquired are exactly the kind of modest, well-located rental housing stock that Nova Scotia cannot afford to lose,” said Bishop. 

“Without this intervention, they would likely have been purchased, renovated, and repriced far out of the reach of many of the current tenants. Instead, these homes are now permanently protected in the non-market community housing sector.”

Clayton Park West MLA Adegoke Fadare said he recognizes the communal value of this project.

“I’m a strong believer of community,” said Fadare. “I believe that community means connection. It also means identity, and this gives us an opportunity to do both.”

The addition of these properties brings the total number of homes under the Housing Trust to more than 425, keeping in line with a proposal to own 1,000 units by 2030.