Places For Me
Affordable Housing
Low-income and supportive housing options.
From shelter to stable home
Moving from a shelter to stable housing takes time — usually months, sometimes longer. This page explains every step of the path and what help exists in Nova Scotia right now. Start wherever you are.
If you’re about to lose your housing right now
You have rights. You cannot be removed without a formal process.
- Residential Tenancies NS — if you’ve received an eviction notice, you have rights. Call 902-424-5200 or visit novascotia.ca/sns/access/residential-tenancies.
- Rent bank (eviction prevention) — Affordable Housing Association of NS (AHANS): 902-423-4948 · ahans.ca. Can provide emergency rent assistance to prevent eviction. Call before you receive a formal eviction notice if possible — earlier is better.
- Legal Aid NS — 1-800-665-9779. Free legal advice if you’ve received formal eviction papers; can sometimes negotiate with landlords on your behalf.
- Community Services emergency shelter allowance — if you’re on income assistance and facing eviction, contact your caseworker immediately. Emergency shelter allowances exist — ask specifically.
NS Housing — subsidised rent based on your income
- Rent is geared to income — typically 25–30% of your income.
- Apply online at nshousing.ca or call 902-424-4256.
- No fixed address required — use a shelter address.
What you need to apply
- Government ID (see ID & Docs page if you need help).
- Proof of income (income assistance letter counts).
- Current housing situation description.
The waitlist, honestly
- Halifax waitlist is long — typically 2–5 years for a one-bedroom. Smaller communities are shorter.
- Priority status: you may qualify for priority placement if you are fleeing domestic violence, have a disability, are a senior, or have a medical condition requiring specific housing. Ask explicitly when you apply.
- Check your status every 6 months minimum — call 902-424-4256 with your application number.
- Do not turn down an offer without calling first — turning down two offers can remove you from the list.
Transitional housing — the step between shelter and home
Transitional housing is longer-term than emergency shelter (usually 3 months to 2 years) but not permanent. It comes with support services to help you move toward independent housing. It’s the most important step most people skip — ask your shelter worker about it.
Halifax Regional Municipality
Shelter Nova Scotia — multiple transitional units
Adsum for Women & Children — transitional housing
Phoenix Youth — transitional housing, youth 16–24
Souls Harbour — transitional housing, multiple locations
Alice Housing — women leaving violence, transitional
Cape Breton
New Dawn Enterprises — transitional housing
Cape Breton Transition House — transitional
Central & Northern NS
Viola’s Place Society — transitional
Cumberland Homelessness & Housing Support — Amherst
Western NS
ROOF 25 — transitional, Bridgewater
Open Arms — transitional, Kentville
If none of these are in your area or have availability, call 2-1-1 — they have the most current list of transitional housing vacancies province-wide.
Affordable housing — below market rent
AHANS (Affordable Housing Association of NS)
- ahans.ca · 902-423-4948
- Maintains listings of affordable units in HRM.
- Also provides rent bank and tenant support programs.
- Drop-in: 2169 Gottingen St, Halifax.
Co-operative housing
- Co-op housing is member-owned, permanently affordable.
- Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada — chfcanada.coop for NS listings.
- Waitlists exist but are often shorter than NS Housing.
Community Land Trust housing
- Some permanently affordable units exist in HRM — contact AHANS for current availability.
Rent supplements
- NS Department of Community Services provides rent supplements to bridge the gap between what you can afford and market rent.
- Ask your caseworker or call Community Services: 902-424-5200.
- You need to find your own unit and then apply for the supplement — it’s not tied to specific buildings.
Private market with income assistance shelter allowance
- NS Income Assistance includes a shelter allowance — currently $535–$950/month depending on household size.
- This is below market rent in HRM — be honest with your caseworker if your rent exceeds this amount, as exceptions can sometimes be made.
Your rights as a tenant in Nova Scotia
- Your landlord must give you proper written notice before ending your tenancy: month-to-month requires minimum 3 months notice; fixed term requires notice before end of term.
- Your landlord cannot enter without 24 hours written notice except in emergencies.
- You cannot be evicted without a formal Residential Tenancies hearing — verbal notice is not legal.
- A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you receive income assistance — this is discrimination under the NS Human Rights Act.
- If your landlord is not maintaining the unit, you can file a complaint with Residential Tenancies.
- Security deposit: maximum half a month’s rent, must be returned within 10 days of moving out unless there is documented damage.
Full guide: novascotia.ca/sns/access/residential-tenancies
Tenant rights questions: Legal Aid NS — 1-800-665-9779 (free).
Discrimination by landlord: NS Human Rights Commission — 1-877-269-7699.
If you’re fleeing domestic violence
You can access emergency shelter immediately — no waitlist, no process.
- NS domestic violence helpline: 1-855-225-0220 (24/7).
- Transition House Association of NS: tans.ca.
- You have priority status on NS Housing waitlist — tell them when you apply.
- Your address can be kept confidential in all government systems — ask explicitly when applying for housing or ID.
Frequently asked
I’m on the NS Housing waitlist. How long will it take?
In Halifax, typically 2–5 years for a one-bedroom. Smaller communities are shorter — sometimes under a year. If your situation changes (disability, domestic violence, medical need), call and ask about priority status — it can significantly reduce wait time.
Can I apply for NS Housing without an address?
Yes. Use a shelter address on your application. Tell them you are currently experiencing homelessness — this is relevant information and may affect your placement priority.
My landlord is trying to evict me verbally. Is that legal?
No. In Nova Scotia, eviction requires a formal written notice and a Residential Tenancies hearing. A verbal eviction notice has no legal standing. Call Legal Aid NS immediately: 1-800-665-9779.
A landlord refused to rent to me because I’m on income assistance. Is that allowed?
No. Refusing to rent to someone because they receive income assistance is discrimination under the NS Human Rights Act. File a complaint at 1-877-269-7699 or call Legal Aid NS for support.
What is transitional housing and how is it different from a shelter?
Emergency shelters are night-to-night or short-term — usually days to weeks. Transitional housing gives you a stable place for months to up to 2 years, with support workers helping you move toward permanent housing. It’s the most important step in the path from homelessness to stable housing. Ask your shelter worker about transitional housing options — many people don’t know it exists.