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Halve Core Housing Need by 2035

Full Title:
Affordable Housing Accountability Act

Summary#

  • This bill sets clear housing targets for Nova Scotia and makes the government report on progress every year. It aims to cut “core housing need” (people paying over 30% of income for homes that are not adequate or affordable) by half by the end of 2035.

  • It also sets and updates yearly housing supply goals to improve home-buying affordability, and creates an Independent Housing Officer to keep track and report to the public.

  • Key changes:

    • Reduce core housing need by 50% by 2035, compared with 2025 levels.
    • Start with a target of 12,500 new housing starts per year, then revise the target each year to reach an average 30% home-buying affordability ratio by 2035.
    • Build enough public housing to cut or clear the waiting list and expand non-market housing.
    • Increase housing benefits or income supports so households spend under 30% of income on housing, and protect existing below-market rentals.
    • Create a standard, province-wide system to count homelessness and report results.
    • Publish annual reports on progress, with interim progress reports every two years, and independent oversight by a new Officer.
    • Law takes effect January 1, 2026.

What it means for you#

  • Workers, renters, and families

    • More public and non-market homes are planned. This could shorten wait times and offer lower rents.
    • The Province must boost housing benefits or income supports so rent or mortgage costs are under 30% of your gross income.
    • The government must protect existing below-market rentals and improve “security of tenure” (stronger stability for renters). Exact measures will be set through future policies.
    • Regular public updates will show if targets are on track and what changes are coming.

  • People experiencing homelessness

    • A standardized counting system across all municipalities will track how many people are unsheltered, in shelters, provisionally housed, or at risk.
    • Better data is meant to guide services and investments. It does not guarantee specific supports by itself, but it requires the government to plan and report openly.

  • Homebuyers

    • The government will set annual homebuilding targets aimed at getting the average home-buying affordability ratio to about 30% by 2035. This measure looks at prices, incomes, interest rates, and monthly owner costs.
    • More housing starts are meant to ease pressure on prices over time.

  • Landlords and developers

    • Annual provincial housing-start targets and public progress reports may shape policies, incentives, and programs.
    • Efforts to protect below-market rentals and strengthen tenant stability may affect how some units are managed or sold. Details will come through later policies and programs.

  • Non-profit housing providers and community groups

    • The bill calls for more non-market housing and expands the Community Housing Acquisition Program, which could support purchases to keep rents below market.
    • The Independent Housing Officer will consult with non-profits and communities and can commission research.

  • Municipalities

    • Regular, “point-in-time” homelessness counts across all municipalities will be required under a standard method.
    • Municipal data will feed into provincial reports that estimate needs by region and income group.

  • Taxpayers

    • The government is required to set evidence-based targets and publish annual and interim reports on actions, risks, and course corrections.
    • If targets are likely to be missed, the Minister must explain why and publish a new plan. You cannot sue the Province for missing a target, but there will be public accountability.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents’ View#

  • Clear, measurable targets with fixed timelines will focus government action and reduce core housing need by half.
  • Building more public and non-market housing, protecting existing affordable rentals, and boosting benefits will directly lower housing costs for low- and moderate-income households.
  • Annual reports and an independent Officer improve transparency, evidence-based decisions, and public trust.
  • Province-wide homelessness data will be consistent and reliable, helping direct resources where they are most needed.
  • Using public, transparent methods tied to population growth and supply keeps targets realistic and rooted in data.
  • Cross-government commitment ensures departments align plans and investments with housing goals.

Opponents’ View#

  • The targets are “binding,” but there are no penalties or lawsuits if the government falls short, which may weaken accountability.
  • Meeting the goals could be very costly (public housing builds, benefits, acquisitions, and data systems), and the bill provides no funding plan.
  • A province-wide housing-start target may be hard to meet due to labour shortages, construction costs, and approval delays.
  • Focusing on an average affordability ratio may overlook big regional differences and needs.
  • New data requirements could add work for municipalities and service providers, and raise privacy concerns.
  • Stronger tenant protections and acquisition programs might discourage some private investment in rental housing.