The Affordable Housing Grant Program is now accepting applications. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come basis and grants awarded based on eligibility and availability of funds from the Affordable Housing Reserve. For more information about how to apply, see the application process overview below.
About the Program
The Affordable Housing Grant Program is funded through the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The grant program is open to developers for costs associated with the development, construction or building conversion of new affordable housing units. Applicants must have a Development and Building Permit issued between January 22, 2025, and June 30, 2027, inclusive, to apply.
The Development and Building Permit, shall be for one or more of the following:
- the construction of a new accessory dwelling unit;
- the construction of new missing-middle housing; and/or
- a building conversion, or reuse of vacant buildings.
A complete overview of the program’s requirements and eligible projects can be found in the pdf Affordable Housing Grants Policy.(261 KB)
Program Details
This program is provided under the direction of Town Council as outlined in TOY 83, Affordable Housing Grants Policy, as of August 14, 2025. The purpose of the Program is to:
- temporarily incentivize the creation of affordable housing supply within fully serviced areas of the Town of Yarmouth with the priorities and targets set out in the Town’s 2024-2027 Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan;
- promote a broader range of housing choice for all ages, income groups, family types and lifestyles and support housing opportunities for low-income households; and
- encourage innovative housing types, such as co-housing and accessory dwelling units, as alternative means of accommodating residential growth while providing more affordable housing options.
What is considered “affordable housing”?
“Affordable housing unit,” means housing for people who, because of financial or other circumstances, need help to cover their housing cost. For this Program, an affordable housing unit means an affordable housing unit as defined by the Province of Nova Scotia through its Affordable Housing Rental Program and/or as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. For information, CMHC considers pdf TOY 83 – Affordable Housing Grant Policy(261 KB) housing to be affordable when a household spends less than 30% of its pre-tax income on adequate housing.
Grant Application Process
Step 1: Public Advertising
- Town Announces Grant Program is open for application intake.
- Request for grant pre-application consultation meeting available.
Step 2: Grant Application submission
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served (if complete & eligible).
- pdf CLICK HERE for the fillable Grant Application(522 KB)
Step 3: Evaluation
- Staff review applications for completeness, program eligibility, and availability of Housing Reserve Funds.
Step 4: Awards
- Staff draft recommendation to CAO and CAO approves recommendation for award recipient.
- Award communicated to applicant and publicized on the website.
- Debriefs are available with unsuccessful applicants upon request.
- Town and successful applicant enter into Affordable Housing Grant Agreement based on the project details in the application and the Affordable Housing Grant.
pdf Additional Funding Sources(123 KB)
pdf Affordable Housing Grant Policy Fillable Application(522 KB)