Build Canada Homes speeds up affordable housing in Dartmouth
A bold, shared commitment from the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia aims to unlock 1,430 additional affordable homes across the province. The partnership brings together up to $300 million in funding, including operating support for supportive and transitional housing, to accelerate the building process and reduce barriers.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, December 14, 2025 — Many Canadians struggle to find housing they can afford. Addressing Canada’s housing crisis requires urgent actions to lower costs, streamline approvals, and speed up construction.
At the core of this plan is robust infrastructure and a larger supply of homes that support strong communities. To that end, Build Canada Homes has been launched as the federal government’s single, streamlined platform for affordable housing. The initiative will scale up the construction of affordable homes, including transitional and supportive housing, deeply affordable and community housing, and homes for middle‑income Canadians. Build Canada Homes seeks to confront housing challenges with decisive, bold measures.
Today’s announcement marks a collaborative effort between the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia to accelerate housing development across the province and unlock 1,430 additional affordable homes. The partnership commits up to $300 million, with operating funds allocated for supportive and transitional units.
Under the agreement, 500 non‑profit and community housing units will be financed through Nova Scotia’s housing pipeline, with construction set to begin within the next 12 months. These units will be affordable for low‑ to moderate‑ and median‑income households, and their affordability will be protected for the long term.
The partnership also advances work at Shannon Park, a large, multi‑phase redevelopment in Dartmouth, delivering a mix of market‑rate, public, supportive, and affordable housing.
In the initial phase, a dedicated parcel will support a Build Canada Homes Direct Build project, enabling up to 630 mixed‑market homes. The plan includes ensuring that at least 40% of new homes are priced below market value and accessible to households with moderate and median incomes.
The joint investment will also enable an additional 300 homes on the provincial portion of the site, incorporating supportive and/or transitional units along with public housing. Provincial funding and partnerships will sustain long‑term affordability for these public housing units. This strengthens the case for enduring affordability through solid provincial–federal collaboration.
Halifax Regional Municipality, in partnership with Build Canada Homes and the Province of Nova Scotia, will help fast‑track development approvals. Pending council approval, the municipality may reduce or waive development fees, offer property tax relief, or provide other grants to support a 930‑unit affordable housing project on federal and provincial lands at Shannon Park.
The project emphasizes modern construction methods—factory‑built housing, prefabrication, modular systems, and mass timber—to speed delivery and lessen environmental impact. Build Canada Homes will soon issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Shannon Park parcel, with responses due by February 9, 2026.
“This collaboration between federal and provincial governments shows what we can achieve when we align resources to address the housing crisis directly. By pooling funding, we’re not only accelerating Shannon Park but also creating a complete community with schools, childcare, and essential supports that families need to thrive. This is a model of collaboration that can strengthen communities across Nova Scotia.”
— The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
“Today’s news means shovels in the ground for affordable homes at Shannon Park in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. For too long, this prime piece of land sat underutilized in a community grappling with housing pressures. With all orders of government involved, we’re speeding up the first phase at Shannon Park and delivering housing that a healthy, complete community requires.”
— The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
“There is no province better positioned than Nova Scotia to partner with the federal government on Build Canada Homes. Our government has a proven track record of delivering housing projects faster. With barriers removed and a strengthened construction sector, we’re ready to build homes for families.”
— The Honourable John White, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Housing
“We need more affordable housing—and we need it quickly. At City Hall, our job is to remove obstacles and work with federal and provincial partners to deliver solutions. Today’s announcement is an important first step toward delivering housing for hundreds of families.”
— Mayor Andy Fillmore, Halifax Regional Municipality
“Today isn’t just about constructing homes—it’s about forging partnerships that deliver results. By working closely with Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Municipality, we’re speeding up housing development to create thousands of homes faster, smarter, and more affordably. This embodies the purpose of Build Canada Homes: leveraging public lands, financing, and partnerships to accelerate delivery.”
— Ana Bailão, Chief Executive Officer, Build Canada Homes
Key details and context:
- Up to $300 million committed to this agreement: $120 million in federal financing and up to $180 million in provincial funding.
- Build Canada Homes, launched September 14, 2025, is a new federal agency designed to finance and scale affordable housing, drive innovation in the housing industry, and boost productivity.
- The initial plan includes a total investment of $13 billion over five years to transform public–private collaboration, promote modern construction methods, and support large‑scale projects. It will leverage public lands, offer flexible incentives, attract private capital, and enable manufacturers to produce more homes efficiently.
- Early RFQs have already been issued for projects in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Longueuil, with Shannon Park in Dartmouth now advancing as a priority.
- The package builds on a broader set of affordability measures introduced this year, including steps to reduce costs for homebuyers and accelerate housing construction.
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