Housing Accountability and Supply Act

Summary#

This bill sets clear, legally binding housing goals for Nova Scotia and creates tools to track and report progress. It aims to cut the share of households in “core housing need” by half by 2036 and to grow housing supply enough to make buying a home more affordable.

• Starts with a target of 12,500 new housing starts per year, then updates it yearly to reach a province-wide home-buying affordability target by 2036.
• Requires building enough public housing to reduce or clear the waiting list, expanding non-market housing, boosting housing benefits, and protecting existing affordable rentals.
• Sets up a standard, province-wide system to count homelessness with regular counts in every municipality.
• Publishes annual and biennial public reports on needs, progress, and fixes if the Province falls behind.
• Creates an Independent Housing Officer to audit progress, access government data, and report to the Legislature and public.
• Targets are binding policy commitments, but missing a target does not create a right to sue; it triggers a public explanation and a corrective plan.

What it means for you#

• Renters

  • Could see stronger limits on rent increases and more secure leases to reduce sudden displacement.
  • More affordable options may open up as the Province expands public and other non-market housing.
  • Some households may get more help with rent so housing costs are under 30% of income.

• People on the public housing waitlist

  • The Province must build enough public housing to reduce or clear the list by 2036, which could shorten wait times.

• People experiencing homelessness

  • Regular, consistent counts in every community should improve planning and services.
  • Better data on who is homeless and for how long can target supports more effectively.

• Homebuyers

  • The Province will set and adjust yearly housing-starts targets to reach a 30% home-buying affordability ratio by 2036, which could increase supply and ease price pressure over time.

• Non-profit housing providers

  • More support for non-market housing and acquisition programs could help preserve and add affordable units.

• Builders and developers

  • Clear, updated annual housing-starts targets can signal demand for construction across the province.
  • May be consulted on barriers to meeting targets and on policy adjustments.

• Municipalities

  • Must participate in regular homelessness counts and may be consulted on housing needs by region.
  • Will see annual provincial reporting on local housing needs and progress.

• General public

  • Annual Housing Needs Assessment Reports from 2027 onward will show progress, risks, and planned actions.
  • An independent officer will publish a yearly Housing Accountability Report starting in 2027, offering an outside check.

• Timing

  • The Act takes effect January 1, 2027. The homelessness data system must be set up within a year after that. The 2036 deadlines apply to the main targets.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Binding targets, public reporting, and an independent officer will keep the Province accountable and focused on results.
• Building more public and non-market housing, plus rent benefits, directly reduces the number of households paying too much for housing.
• Protecting existing affordable rentals prevents “leakage,” so gains are not wiped out by losses.
• A clear, evidence-based housing-starts target each year will grow supply and improve affordability for buyers.
• Standardized homelessness counts across all towns will lead to better, fairer service planning.
• Transparent methods and public data make it easier for communities and experts to see what is working and what is not.

Opponents' View#

• Meeting large construction and benefit targets could be very costly and may strain budgets if funding is not secured each year.
• Stronger rent caps and tighter tenant protections could discourage some private investment or reduce new rental supply.
• The targets are “binding” in policy but not enforceable in court, so real accountability may depend on political will.
• Hitting 12,500 starts a year and reaching a 30% buyer affordability ratio by 2036 may be unrealistic given labour, land, and permitting limits.
• New data and reporting duties could add workload for municipalities and agencies.
• Government acquisition of affordable buildings might reduce private-market activity or shift focus from building new supply.