The Nova Scotia government won’t give much help to tenants at Ocean Breeze Village, where some will soon be evicted for demolitions.
Housing Minister John Lohr said the government has met with the owners and discussed a federal program, through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, where they could apply to get funding for affordable housing.
When he was asked if the province could mandate affordability at the site, he said they have not.
“I don’t know if we actually have the tools to do that. I’ve never been asked that before,” he said.
The Ocean Breeze Village has multiple buildings. Some of them will soon be demolished so the owners can start a multi-phase development project.
Lohr said he encourages any of the tenants to reach out to his department to see what resources they can offer tenants, like rent supplements.
He added that the province is working to make things more affordable, citing record amounts of funding to build new housing, and allocating, he said, 217,250 specifically-designated affordable housing units over the next five years.
“Obviously we’re concerned. We realize this is a difficult time for the tenants,” he said.
Premier Houston said this is stressful for tenants, and he sympathizes with them.
“The reality is, it’s a private entity that owns it, so they have plans for the property,” he said.
Houston said his government knows the solution to the housing crisis is more housing, and they’re committed to delivering. These issues developed over a long time, and the solution can’t happen overnight, so people should start seeing the result of policies the government has put in place, he said.
He said he’s aware the owners are working through the evictions with tenants.
The Acadia Broadcasting newsroom has reached out to the Ocean Breeze owners for comment.
