Housing & Development Support Programs

We offer several programs to support housing development and commercial growth. These programs provide financial incentives, grants and tax adjustments to encourage investment and create new affordable and sustainable housing options within the municipality.

• Affordable Housing Grant
• Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment
• Commercial District Development Support Program

The Affordable Housing Grant Policy supports the development of new affordable housing within the municipality by offering a one-time grant to eligible property owners.

Property owners who receive the grant must agree to maintain affordability for at least 10 years.

To qualify, affordable housing dwelling units must:

• Not exceed 30% of the gross annual household income, or be 80% or less than the average market rate as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for CBRM.
• Have a valid Building and Development Permit issued between 2024 and 2026 for the installation of a new secondary suite, converted dwelling, or construction of an accessory dwelling unit, two-unit dwelling, apartment or townhouse.
• Be located within the Service Area Boundary as defined by CBRM's Municipal Planning Strategy. See the Service Area Boundary map.

Tier 1: Rent does not exceed 30% of the gross annual household income for at least 10 years. The Tier 1 grant base amount is $20,000 per Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit, up to a maximum of $200,000 per project.

Tier 2: Rent is 80% or less than the average market rent for at least 10 years. The Tier 2 grant base amount is $18,000 per Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit, up to a maximum of $160,000 per project.

Additional funding may be available for projects receiving support from the Province of Nova Scotia and/or the Government of Canada.

Applications for the Affordable Housing Grant are open until December 31, 2026, or until all funds in the Affordable Housing Reserve have been allocated.

Applicants are encouraged to read the policy in full to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before applying for the grant.

To apply, email your completed Affordable Housing Grant Program Application to housing@cbrm.ns.ca.

The Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment Policy supports the development of new affordable housing by reducing municipal property taxes over a 10-year period.

Developers who create four or more new affordable housing dwelling units and agree to maintain affordability for at least 10 years may be eligible for this program.

To qualify, affordable housing dwelling units must:

• Not exceed 30% of the gross annual household income, or is at 80% or less than the average market rate as defined by the CMHC for CBRM.
• Have a valid Building and Development Permit issued in 2024 or later.
• Be located within the Service Area Boundary as defined by CBRM's Municipal Planning Strategy. See the Service Area Boundary map.

The Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment will be a:

• 90 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years one and two 
• 75 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years three and four
• 60 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years five and six
• 45 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years seven and eight
• 30 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years nine and 10.

Applicants are encouraged to read the policy in full to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before applying for the property tax adjustment.

To apply, email your completed Affordable Housing Tax Adjustment Application to housing@cbrm.ns.ca.

The Commercial Development District Improvement By-Law supports new commercial growth by offering a property tax phase-in incentive for eligible developments.

Property owners undertaking new commercial developments in certain areas of the Municipality may apply to have the increase in property taxes resulting from these new developments phased in over a period of five or ten years, depending on the scale of the development.

You may qualify for the incentive if the proposed development is located within designated commercial districts defined in the Commercial Development District Improvement By-law.

Eligible areas include:

• Dominion
• Glace Bay
• Harbourside Industrial Park
• Louisbourg
• New Waterford
• North Sydney
• Northside Industrial Park
• Sydney
• Sydney Mines
• Sydport Industrial Park
• Whitney Pier

You must first obtain a building permit before submitting your Development Support Program Application to housing@cbrm.ns.ca.

Learn more about New Home & Home Improvement Permits.

For questions regarding the application, reach out to housing@cbrm.ns.ca