Over the next three years, the Government of Nova Scotia will invest $8-million in the Social Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP) to help housing co-operatives make necessary structural, electrical, plumbing, heating or accessibility repairs to their units. Co-ops will be able to apply for up to $24,000 in repairs per unit.

“This investment is an example of funding that works,” says Karla Skoutajan, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada’s Director of sector development. “Previous SHARP funding has improved the physical condition of housing co-ops and the lives of hundreds of members of housing co-ops. Our members certainly value the province’s partnership and investment in the long-term viability of housing co-operatives in Nova Scotia.”

Funds for the program, which are forgiven over a maximum 10-year period, will be drawn from the Government of Canada’s $42-million investment in Nova Scotia’s affordable housing.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that Nova Scotians have better access to secure, stable housing along with more jobs and opportunity which leads to better overall economic outcomes,” says Peter MacKay, Federal Justice Minister. “We will continue to work with our provincial colleagues to ensure that social housing in the region continues to be safe, accessible and affordable for years to come.”

In Nova Scotia, there are 69 housing co-ops providing affordable housing for 4,300 households.