Sites in four communities have been selected for new public housing that will create up to 64 new safe and affordable homes.
The new housing in Middleton, Windsor, Shubenacadie and Springhill is part of the plan to build 515 new public housing units across the province over the next five years. Design work for the buildings in the four communities is now underway, and construction could start as soon as the spring.
“Our government is delivering the most significant investments in public housing infrastructure in over 30 years,” said John White, Minister of Housing. “Today’s announcement represents months of work to ensure these sites are safe, accessible, close to amenities and have the infrastructure in place that is needed to support families for decades.”
The housing will be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments located at:
- Sunset Crescent in Middleton, up to 24 apartments
- Crossley Court in Windsor, up to 16
- Mill Village Road in Shubenacadie, up to 16
- Junction Road in Springhill, up to eight.
Nova Scotia firm zzap Architecture and Planning is now working on initial designs. This will confirm the number and size of units, size and shape of the buildings, access to the sites and other design details.
Tenders will be issued once initial designs are complete. Construction should begin this spring, subject to the tender responses.
Under public housing’s rent-geared-to-income model, tenants do not pay more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.
Quotes:
“We’re very pleased that this much-needed public housing is being provided here in Cumberland County. We applaud the Minister and the provincial government for including our area in what is the first significant announcement of public housing in our province in decades. One of the biggest advantages is the location. Being within walking distance of downtown amenities – our grocery store, the bank, the post office, the community centre and other services – means residents will have convenient access to the things they need every day. That walkability strengthens our downtown and keeps people connected to the heart of the community.”
— Rod Gilroy, Mayor, Municipality of Cumberland
Quick Facts:
- Build Nova Scotia’s criteria used in site selection includes land ownership, size, readiness for development, safety and distance to essential services, and employment opportunities
- all four sites are on provincially owned land
- the new units will be energy efficient and meet other provincial environmental and accessibility standards
- the 515 new public housing units will provide homes to more than 1,300 Nova Scotians and represent an investment of $251 million; the new units are a commitment in the Province’s five-year housing action plan
Additional Resources:
News release – Province Plans Largest-Ever Investment in New Public Housing: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/13/province-plans-largest-ever-investment-new-public-housing
News release – Housing Plan on Track to Meet or Exceed Goals: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/24/housing-plan-track-meet-or-exceed-goals
Progress report on housing plan, April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2025: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/docs/action-for-housing-progress-report-2025-07.pdf
Our Homes, Action for Housing plan and the provincial needs assessment report is available at: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/