DARTMOUTH, NS, Sept. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country. We are focused on building great neighbourhoods that Canadians want to, and can afford to live in.
Central to that work, the Government of Canada has launched Build Canada Homes, which is helping increase the pace of affordable homebuilding. Build Canada Homes is also helping fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing – working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It is building deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partnering with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.
As part of the Government of Canada's broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, investments are being made across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada.
Today, the federal government, along with the Nova Scotia Department of Growth and Development, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and YWCA Halifax, announced more than $37 million in combined funding to support the construction of 91 secure rental homes through Phases 2 and 3 of the Mount Hope neighbourhood in Dartmouth, providing housing for women and gender diverse led families.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth--Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada alongside the Honourable John White, Minister of Housing and MLA for Glace Bay-Dominion, and Andy Fillmore, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Also highlighted today is the Halifax Regional Municipality's success in meeting their Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) milestone commitments. HAF supports local governments pursuing changes that cut red tape and build more homes faster. It encourages local solutions that create more housing options by driving innovation, removing barriers and incentivizing updates to planning systems.
The Halifax Regional Municipality proposed an ambitious Housing Action Plan which included streamlining the development approval process as well as introducing changes to support gentle density. The municipality was approved for $79,309,000 in HAF funding. Earlier this year, the City received its third HAF instalment of nearly $19.8 million, reflecting the successful implementation of its plan.
The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process – helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.
Quotes:
"We're delivering more permanent nonprofit homes--and that's good news for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour! This investment is helping the YWCA purchase these new 2- and 3-bedroom townhouses, giving families the opportunity to live and thrive here in Dartmouth. Affordable housing matters, and by partnering with trusted nonprofit organizations like the YWCA, we're ensuring more homes will remain nonprofit and benefit families in our community for generations to come." – The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth--Cole Harbour
"Every affordable home means more stability, more opportunity and more hope for people who need it. Mount Hope is a strong example of what can happen when governments and community partners work together with urgency and purpose. We are proud to support YWCA Halifax as it creates more safe, supportive homes for women and gender diverse led families in Dartmouth." – The Honourable John White, Minister of Housing and MLA for Glace Bay-Dominion
"The new homes at Mount Hope are a great example of what we can accomplish when governments, the non-profit sector, and private-sector work together to get affordable housing built. HRM is proud to invest $2.27 million in these new affordable homes, as part of a growing Mount Hope community that brings affordable and market housing together and gives people more choice. City Hall needs to create the conditions for more projects like this to move forward faster, at lower cost, and with fewer barriers." – Andy Fillmore, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality
"Hope needs somewhere to live. With 57 new townhouses providing housing for 200 people, Phase 3 of Mount Hope Village will offer Nova Scotians something powerful: the security and stability of a place to call home. Investment in nonprofit housing is essential to addressing the housing crisis facing renters. It creates lasting community assets and helps ensure affordable homes remain available for generations to come." – Miia Suokonautio, CEO, YWCA Halifax
"Mount Hope Village has shown us that housing is about so much more than having a roof over your head. Having a safe, stable place to call home gives people the foundation to focus on their families, their goals, and their future. We've seen first-hand how that sense of security can reduce stress, build confidence, and create opportunities for people to truly move forward and thrive." – Jessica Bailey, Housing & Intake Coordinator, YWCA Halifax
Quick Facts:
- The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provided funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing. This was a $16.1 billion program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gave priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, Veterans, and young adults. The application portal for AHF is now closed as all funding has been committed.
- As of March 2026, the Government of Canada has committed $15.83 billion to support the creation of over 61,700 units and the repair of over 174,700 units through the Affordable Housing Fund.
- On September 19, 2025, the Government of Canada announced $1.5 billion top-up in loans for the AHF's New Construction Stream, to support the creation of over 5,000 new units starting in 2025-26. Additionally, the AHF's Rapid Housing Sub-Stream will be accelerated, by pulling $385 million in funding from future years.
- Funding provided is as follows:
- $26.6 million from the federal government, through the Affordable Housing Fund;
- $8.45 million from Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development;
- $2.27 million from the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Additional Information:
- Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information.
- Build Canada Homes is ready to partner with organizations committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Learn more about the portal and the Investment Policy Framework.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is a federal Crown corporation and the foundation of Canada's housing system. For over 80 years, CMHC has supported the functioning of housing markets across the country through housing finance solutions -- including mortgage loan insurance and securitization -- while providing trusted, unbiased data, research and market intelligence to inform policy and decision making. Through its national presence, deep expertise in housing economics and finance, and a system-wide perspective, CMHC helps foster a more stable, well-functioning housing market that supports households, communities and the broader economy.
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SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Contacts: Arianna Durgerian, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]
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