Advocates say Nova Scotia budget neglects affordable housing crisis
The Nova Scotia budget presented this week neglects people struggling with affordability and those on the edge of experiencing homelessness, housing advocates say.
The government's budget, tabled Thursday, allocates $21.6 million to offer 1,000 more people rent subsidies, and $8.2 million to emergency and overnight shelters. But there is no new money for public housing.
Michael Kabalen, with Affordable Housing Nova Scotia, said in an interview Friday that rent supplements are a valuable "stopgap" but that the province is in dire need of new affordable housing options.
"It's needed," Kabalen said of the province's housing-related investments announced in the budget, "but it doesn't house people who are experiencing homelessness or those who need affordable housing today."
Kabalen said his group was aware of 884 people experiencing chronic homelessness in the Halifax area -- a figure he said has tripled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hannah Wood, the Halifax chair of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, said in an interview Friday that government support for public housing is "the biggest core need to be filled."
"So I think (government) missed a real opportunity to at least start the major investment that's needed to build back up our reserves of affordable housing," she said. "We haven't had a major investment in affordable housing construction since the early 1990s."
The province's capital plan released last week included $21 million toward repairs to its existing public housing, with no money earmarked to build more.
For the second consecutive year, the centrepiece of the Progressive Conservative's budget is health care. The $14.4-billion budget allocates $750 million more for health care compared with the prior fiscal year. Health-related investment is expected to reach $6.5 billion in 2023-24 -- accounting for about 45 per cent of total spending.
Kabalen said he understands the province is focused on improving the health-care system, but it should recognize that Nova Scotians are more likely to be in good health if they have housing.
"We know that the social determinants of health say that when you lose your housing, you're more likely to experience significant health deterioration," Kabalen said.
"We're focusing on building hospitals and incentivizing nurses, and that's very important. But the hope would be that we take a holistic approach to health care and also make investments in housing."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2023.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.