REALITY CHECK: Houston’s plan falls short on increasing affordable housing supply

HALIFAX – New numbers released to media yesterday show the Houston government’s plan to speed up home construction through Special Planning Areas isn’t working. Of the 63,000 new homes promised in Special Planning Areas, only 536 homes have been built since 2022.

Despite the low number of homes completed, today, Housing Minister John White defended his government’s record saying he was “... proud of where we’re at.” White claimed 10,000 homes are set to be complete in less than two years, even though his government was able to get fewer than 600 built in the last four years, and only a handful of those are actually affordable.

“It’s pretty shocking that this government doesn't seem to understand the reality that Nova Scotian renters and new homebuyers are facing. After five years of the Houston government, Halifax is one of the most expensive places to rent or buy in the country,” said Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender. “Young people are being forced to move away, and seniors can’t keep up with rising rents. This government has made a lot of big promises about speeding things up, but only a few hundred homes have been built.

“We heard at committee this week that we need to build more supply that Nova Scotians can actually afford. We didn’t hear anything from the department yesterday or from the minister today that shows this government understands just how unaffordable housing is becoming on their watch.”

A report released by the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed that the gap between home prices and what Nova Scotians can afford is the worst in the country. Nova Scotia is now the most expensive province to sign a new lease.

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