Atlantic Canada’s housing ministers want federal funding to help address the region’s housing crisis.
The ministers are calling for a targeted $500-million investment to meet immediate housing needs.
It is described by the ministers as a critical step toward ensuring all Atlantic Canadians have access to adequate housing.
“Our government understands the urgent need for safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all New Brunswickers,” Jill Green, the minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, said in a statement.
“We recognize the importance of being responsive to housing market changes and challenges – that’s why partnerships like this are imperative to solving the housing crunch.”
The ministers are seeking more resources to make offsite construction more viable for new housing developments.
That includes funding for pre-construction activities and the creation of standardized regional housing designs and tools.
Ministers also discussed pooling resources to test and scale up advanced construction techniques and investing in the growth of the Atlantic off-site construction industry.
Another area of focus was addressing housing-related labour shortages by making it easier to work in the skilled trades.
“Nova Scotia’s government is ready to move forward with bold initiatives, and we believe that working hand-in-hand with the federal government is the best path to success,” said Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr.
“We need to act now, not just for the future but for the immediate well-being of Nova Scotians and all Atlantic Canadians.”
The ministers said while current tools have laid some groundwork, there is a clear need for region-specific program to deliver immediate housing solutions.
