The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a federal program that provides funding for the rapid development of new deeply affordable housing. Housing must be targeted to vulnerable populations who are homeless or at severe risk of experiencing homelessness. A percentage of the new housing must also be targeted to women and women with children, Urban Indigenous households, and Black Canadians.
Rapid Housing Initiative (Cities Stream) projects completed or underway in HRM include:
Round 3
1. Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
• Construction of 38 new affordable apartments with on-site wrap-around support services on the Halifax Peninsula
• Target population is people with high acuity who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with at least 25% prioritized for women and at least 15% prioritized for African Nova Scotian or Urban Indigenous individuals or households
• This project is under construction, with occupancy expected in November 2024
Round 2
1. Affordable Housing Association of NS
• Conversion of a former hotel in North End Dartmouth to a 63-room shared housing use with on-site wrap-around support services
• Target population is people with high acuity who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• This project was fully occupied in June 2023
2. Souls Harbour Rescue Mission
• Construction of 12 new affordable apartments in West Chezzetcook
• Target population is women and women with children
• This project was fully occupied in May 2023
3. Akoma Holdings Incorporated
• Construction of 8 new semi-detached affordable homes in Westphal
• Target population is African Nova Scotian women and women with children
• This project is under construction
Round 1
1. Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre
• Construction of 21 new affordable apartments in Downtown Halifax
• Target population is Indigenous People
• This project was fully occupied in July 2023
2. North End Community Health Association
• Rehabilitation of an uninhabitable building to create 10 new affordable apartments in North End Halifax
• Target population is Black Canadians and Indigenous People
• This project was fully occupied in November 2022
3. Adsum Women and Children
• Construction of 25 new affordable townhouses in Lakeside
• Target population is women, women with children, and people with physical disabilities
• This project was fully occupied in September 2022
As of December 2023:
Homes completed and occupied: 56
Homes under construction: 46
Questions
Questions can be directed to affordablehousingprogram@halifax.ca
- Rapid Housing Initiative – Round 2
On June 30, 2021, the Federal Government launched Round 2 of the RHI which includes an additional investment of $1.5 billion that is expected to create up to 4,500 new permanent, affordable housing units across the country. Over the summer of 2021 the municipality evaluated project proposals and recommended projects from the following three organizations to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for funding: Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia, Akoma Holdings Incorporated, Souls Harbour. View the report.
- Rapid Housing Initiative - Round 1
In October 2020, the federal government launched a new Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) that invests $1 billion dollars to create up to 3,000 new permanent, affordable housing units across Canada. In November 2020, the municipality evaluated the Expressions of Interest and selected the following projects: Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre, Adsum for Women and Children and the North End Community Health Association for a total of 52 units/rooms. View the report.