The Nova Scotia is preparing for modest housing spending, equating to 4.6 per cent of its capital plan for 2024-25. Newly tabled figures pledge $74.2 million for public and student housing in $1.6 billion worth of intended investment in new infrastructure and asset replacement and improvements.

Subject to budget approval later this spring, $47.1 million is earmarked for public housing, including $15.5 million to build new units, $11.8 for new modular housing and the remainder for repairs in the existing public housing portfolio. The $27.1 million allocation for student housing will go to Nova Scotia Community College for projects on its Ackerly, Ivany and Pictou campuses.

“I am pleased this plan supports efforts to build more housing faster and includes the first new funding for public housing construction in more than 20 years,” says Allan MacMaster, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Finance and Treasury Board.

The $15.5 million to build new public housing units equates to less than 1 per cent of the capital plan. Its larger allocations include $448 million for construction, expansion or renewal of health care facilities, $208.5 million for 17 school construction/rehabilitation projects and $483 million for nearly 100 highway projects, including construction and other improvements, paving and bridge replacement/rehabilitation.