More affordable units coming to Cumberland County

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

The first people have moved into affordable units in Cumberland County, the province said in a press release, marking one completion of the several ongoing projects in the area.

The government noted that 27 new affordable units will come online by the fall, with 20 completed in Springhill and Amherst.

“Investments in these projects are increasing housing supply in the area, improving affordability for residents, helping our communities and growing the local economy,” Tory Rushton, MLA for Cumberland South and Natural Resources Minister, said.

This comes after the province funded a project by Six Point Star Homes Ltd. in 2023. Two new buildings housing six affordable units in Springhill were finished recently. The development was built to meet or exceed net-zero energy standards. They include a mix of one and two-bedroom units.

The Nova Scotian government gave $615,000 in forgivable funding to the project through the Affordable Housing Development Program.

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There are a further three projects in Amherst gaining funding from the program, bringing on a further 19 units in the municipality.

“All methods of delivering affordable housing are important. With the funding provided by the province, we’re pleased to be able to bring 21 net-zero ready apartments available to the people of Cumberland County, a feat that would not be possible without this support,” Tom Mattinson, President, Six Point Star Homes Ltd, said.

Amherst housing crisis

For the next several decades, the Town of Amherst said it needs 100 units every year to keep pace with housing demand.

According to the town’s website, about 650 units were approved or under construction in September 2024. The primary goal is the approval of apartment buildings, which the local council has incentivized with allowing developers to finance up to $250,000 of infrastructure through the town.

“Through this initiative, developers can focus on building housing units,” the town explained.