Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency (NSPHA) is a Crown corporation responsible for administering public housing in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It was formed in 2022 through a merger of five regional housing authorities.

Nova Scotia
Provincial Housing Agency
Company typeCrown corporation
IndustryHousing
Founded1 December 2022
Headquarters,
Canada
OwnersGovernment of Nova Scotia
Websitenspha.ca

History

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In 2022, the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission (appointed in 2020) released its final progress report. The commission made several recommendations, including the modernisation of provincial housing legislation and the establishment of a "arm’s length independent provincial housing entity".[1] The same year, Nova Scotia's auditor general released a report critical of the management of public housing in the province.[2]

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency was established by the Housing Supply and Services Act, which replaced the Housing Act and Housing Nova Scotia Act in late 2022.[3] Under the new legislation, NSPHA was formed by merging Nova Scotia's five regional housing authorities:

  • Cape Breton Island Regional Housing Authority
  • Cobequid Housing Authority
  • Eastern Mainland Housing Authority
  • Metro Regional Housing Authority
  • Western Regional Housing Authority

The housing authority boards were also dissolved. The NSPHA has an advisory board that answers to Nova Scotia's minister of housing.[4] At the time of its establishment, the NSPHA was responsible for around 11,200 housing units.[5]

Administrative structure

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The NSPHA is headquartered in Halifax and has four regional offices:

  • Cape Breton Island District – Cape Breton Island
  • Metropolitan District – Halifax region
  • Northern District – Guysborough County, Antigonish County, Pictou County, Cumberland County, Colchester County
  • Western District – Kings County, Annapolis County, Digby County, Yarmouth County, Shelburne County, Queens County, Lunenburg County and Hants County (East and West)

References

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  1. ^ "Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission Progress Report" (PDF). Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission. August 2022.
  2. ^ "Oversight and Management of Government Owned Public Housing". Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia. 2022.
  3. ^ "Housing Supply and Services Act". Nova Scotia Legislature. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  4. ^ Gorman, Michael (20 October 2022). "N.S. government unveils details of new housing agency". CBC.
  5. ^ "Legislation Amalgamates Housing Authorities, Creates Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency". Nova Scotia Government. 20 October 2022.
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