Public housing community

About NSPHA

Who We Are

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency (NSPHA) was created on December 1, 2022, under the Housing Supply and Services Act to improve the oversight and management of government owned public housing.

We are responsible for maintaining, managing and operating safe and suitable public housing for low-income Nova Scotians. We operate and maintain public housing units across the province in a variety of building styles, from single family homes to high-rise apartment buildings.

Guided by our four strategic priorities: Client Service, Asset Management and Operations, Corporate Governance and Accountability, and Talent Management, we are committed to providing exceptional client service and property management to our approximately 20,000 tenants.

With a team of over 500 employees, we work across four districts: Metropolitan, Northern, Western and Cape Breton Island as outlined below.

District Map

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency operates in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. We acknowledge their stewardship as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land. We are all Treaty People.

We also acknowledge that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors of African descent who came before us to this land.

What We Do

NSPHA is solely responsible for the management and delivery of government-owned public housing for Nova Scotians. We help low-income individuals and families find a home that’s right for them, in a community that offers the services, supports and opportunities they need.  

Across the province, NSPHA provides more than 12,200 safe, affordable homes to Nova Scotians. Our district offices manage the day-to-day operations of Nova Scotia’s public housing stock. Their responsibilities include administering applications and placements, collecting rent, resolving tenant issues, and maintaining and repairing properties. Our corporate team is responsible for strategic asset management, policy development, client services, employee attraction and retention, stakeholder communication and engagement, and human resources. 

As outlined in the province’s five year housing plan, Our Homes, Action for Housing, NSPHA supports the housing priorities of the Government of Nova Scotia. We are not alone in our efforts to address the housing needs of Nova Scotians. We are proud to work alongside other government departments, such as the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Department of Community Services, Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, as well as municipalities and private and non-profit housing providers.

Work is underway on achieving key targets related to public housing, including maximizing every available unit, improving unit turnaround time,  improving accessibility, building consistency in our operations, increasing energy efficiency, and regular ongoing assessments of public housing stock.

Our Mandate

Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency is dedicated to maintaining, managing and operating safe and suitable subsidized housing for low-income Nova Scotians. We are committed to providing exceptional client service and property management.

Our Mission

Improve the delivery of public housing so more Nova Scotians have a place to call home.

Our Vision

Make a difference in the lives of those we serve and be recognized as leaders in how we deliver our services.

Our Values

Our values are the bedrock of our organization. They guide our actions, decisions, and interactions.

We follow consistent processes that reflect feedback, evidence, innovation, and best practice.

We listen and demonstrate empathy, foster inclusion and diversity, welcome our differences and work to ensure everyone feels valued.

We have clarity on our roles and responsibilities, enabling us to be accountable to each other, our clients, and the public.

We strive for clear, open, honest communication and foster a safe space for respectful and constructive feedback.

We are better when we work together. We ensure all voices are heard, collaborate with our partners, celebrate wins, and support each other to learn and do better if we make mistakes.