Housing Strategy

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is undertaking a Housing Strategy to identify existing housing challenges, opportunities and solutions.

This work will include: 

• Public and stakeholder engagement to inform the Housing Strategy;
• Recommendations for a potential new comprehensive residential development incentive program;
• Identification of municipality-owned surplus lands suitable for residential development;
• Residential development incentive program analysis, including a land development framework, policy and regulatory review, and financial feasibility assessment; and
• Implementation of a road map and monitoring and evaluation framework.

This Housing Strategy provides a framework for CBRM to support housing across the municipality. It will serve as a comprehensive and measurable plan to increase the amount of housing in CBRM’s communities while promoting sustainable growth and development.

The CBRM Forward Project guides the Housing Strategy. CBRM Forward was a comprehensive project focused on updating CBRM’s Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS), Land Use By-law (LUB), Economic Development Strategy and Growth Management Strategy. The Housing Strategy will look specifically at solutions to improve housing in CBRM.

• What We Heard - Phase 1 Report (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• CBRM's Housing Story - Phase 1 Report (PDF, 9.4 MB)
• Residential Development Incentives - Phase 2 Report (PDF, 7 MB)
• What We Heard - Phase 3 Report (PDF, 1.5 MB)
• Residential Development Incentives - Phase 3 Report (Revised) (PDF, 3.2 MB)
• What We Heard - Phase 4 Report (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• CBRM Housing Strategy - Final Report (PDF, 2.7 MB)

The Fast-Tracked Housing Design initiative is a new program by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to make home construction faster, easier and more affordable. This initiative offers fast-tracked housing designs that meet local planning regulations, building code requirements and energy efficiency standards.

To help guide you through design choices, browse our Fast-Tracked Housing Design Book.

Once you’ve made your selection, a copy of the construction documents can be requested by emailing permits@cbrm.ns.ca

• Please include in the subject line: the number of units, whether you are seeking code-compliant or net-zero-ready designs, and whether you are looking for accessible options.
• Example: Construction documents request for a large one unit, accessible, net-zero-ready.
• We do not require a copy of these documents for the permit application. Simply indicate in your description of work which design you intend to use and submit all other relevant information.

For questions regarding the completed strategy or future initiatives, reach out to housing@cbrm.ns.ca

For more information, contact planningconsult@cbrm.ns.ca