Surplus Land for Affordable Housing Pilot Program

Municipally owned surplus parcels have been selected for use in this program based on the following criteria:

1. Site condition – no buildings on site, no known environmental issues
2. Development potential – zoned for as-of-right residential development, access to servicing
3. Demonstrated need for affordable housing in the community
4. Access to amenities and transit infrastructure

In selecting sites for the Surplus Land for Affordable Housing Pilot Program, HRM intends to foster healthy, well-connected communities that meets the needs of all residents.

Please see the table below for more information on available surplus parcels.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Surplus Land for Affordable Housing Pilot Program is restricted to non-profit and charitable organizations.

Applicants are permitted to partner with a private sector organization on the condition that the land title and administration of affordable units remains with the non-profit partner.

Submissions to the program must meet the following requirements:

• Offer new housing units at below average market rates as determined by the CMHC
• Propose development that is “as-of-right” in accordance with local zoning bylaws

Submissions that require a variance or sub-division may be considered if required to maximize density.  Proposals that can expedite construction in the short term will be prioritized.

Applicant Requirements

To be considered for the Surplus Land for Affordable Housing Pilot Program, submissions must include proof of eligibility, a description of the applicant, and a description of the proposal. These requirements are summarized in the table below.
 

Proof of Eligibility

• Name of registered charity/non-profit
• Indication of whether organization is registered provincially or nationally
• Copy of agreement with private sector partner if applicable

Description of Applicant

• Summary of existing services offered by organization
• Summary of relevant organizational/staff/partner experience
• Financial statements from preceding fiscal years

Description of Proposal

• Total number of affordable dwelling units or bedrooms for shared housing
• Proposed rent and associated unit type
• Project proforma listing all costs and sources of financing
• Summary of whether proposals will serve National Housing Strategy Priority Groups
• Summary of whether proposals exceeds minimum standards for energy efficiency and accessibility

Successful applicants will be required to sign a buy back agreement that ensures the land is used for affordable housing.

Successful applicants may apply to the Municipality for a postponement of the Buy-Back Agreement to secure financing of up to sixty-five percent (65%) of the Property’s market value as of the date of the request.

The Surplus Land for Affordable Housing Pilot Program has been developed to create affordable options for all residents across the Municipality. 

Below are answers to some questions that residents may have about the program. If would like to know more about the Surplus Land for Affordable Housing Pilot Program, please email housingteam@halifax.ca.

Why is this program needed?

HRM is experiencing a housing crisis. While responsibility for building public housing lies with the Province, the Municipality has some tools it can use to incentivize more affordable units to be built. One of these is offering land that HRM owns but no longer needs to non-profit organizations interested in building affordable housing.

By selling municipal land for $1, HRM can remove the cost of buying land at market value, which is a large barrier for non-profits looking for sites to build affordable housing. Without having to include land costs in their budget, a non-profit can build units at a lower cost and offer lower rents to tenants.

One successful example of this is on True North Cresent in Dartmouth, where four HRM-owned properties stood vacant. In 2020 Council sold the sites to the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) for $1 each, allowing AHANS to build 14 affordable townhouses.

How much housing will be built?

Any new housing will adhere to the local land use bylaw regulations, which also apply to the surrounding properties. In most in low density residential zones, up to 4 units are permitted.

What are the timelines for this program?

There is a 60-day window for affordable housing organizations to submit their applications, closing in September. HRM staff will then review applications and bring a report to Regional Council in late fall 2025. Proposals that can expedite construction in the short term will be prioritized.

Who will be running the housing?

A non-profit organization with experience in operating affordable housing will oversee the new units.

Will this be used to create emergency/shelter housing?

This program will only accept proposals to create permanent/long-term housing. Responsibility for providing emergency/temporary shelter housing remains with the Provincial Government.