QP Affordable Housing

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: According to the most recent Canadian Social Survey, 66 per cent of Nova Scotians experienced a housing challenge related to affordability, suitability, condition, or discrimination in the past year. Fixed-term leases have resulted in tenants losing their housing when the landlords do not renew those leases and increase the rent on the unit, thereby driving up the rents overall. My question to the Minster of Service Nova Scotia is: What measures will she take to ensure that the current supply of rental housing remains relatively affordable?

HON. JILL BALSER « » : We want to see all Nova Scotians be able to thrive in this province, and that means to be able to find a home and a place that they love and care for. We want to make sure that we're still focusing on the growth of our province in terms of supply. We've heard the Minister of Growth and Development continue to talk about the investments that have been made in housing. We have to continue to do that work. We want Nova Scotians to have choice, so that they have the ability to be able to move and find that place that they deserve to live in and love and care for, as I mentioned before.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: We need supply that people can actually afford. Despite this government's great joy and exuberance in celebrating their own accomplishments, the same survey found that 41 per cent of people in this province are very concerned about their ability to afford housing because of the rising costs of their housing or rising rent.

Also, a report from Royal LePage shows that in the beginning of 2025, the housing market shows high demand and predicts continued increasing housing prices. My question to the minister in charge of housing is: What is the government's plan to ensure young Nova Scotians can find a home they can actually afford?

HON. COLTON LEBLANC « » : I'll remind again the honourable member that we do have an action plan for housing. It's a five-year plan that has groundbreaking investments. We have done those investments. We'll continue to make those investments. We've cut miles of red tape, perhaps orange tape in the Opposition's case, but we know there's more work to be done. We have created the conditions and committed to over 51,000 new units in the first 18 months of our housing plan. That's 125 per cent of our 2028 goal. We are expanding and increasing the budget for our backyard suite program. We supported 663 first-time home buyers in their efforts to buy their first home. We know there is more to be done, and we'll continue to do that.