Municipal Program Opens to Non-Profits, Allows Dual Units
Halifax has significantly broadened access to its housing incentive program designed to increase secondary dwelling units across the region. The revised Secondary Units Incentive Program now permits non-profit organizations and housing cooperatives to apply for funding, while property owners can now seek support for two units per dwelling instead of one.
Key Program Changes
Officials confirmed the expanded eligibility criteria and extended application deadline through October 2026. The initiative provides non-repayable grants of up to $13,000 per unit for infrastructure costs related to water and wastewater installation.
Recent municipal data reveals current participation remains below targets, with only 91 applications submitted since the program’s inception. Of these, 69 projects received approval while 22 remain under review. Approximately $412,000 of the allocated $1.5 million budget has been utilized to date.
Construction Timelines and Requirements
Approved projects must complete construction by April 2027. The municipality aims to issue 250 new building permits through the revised program. Recent adjustments follow analysis showing lower-than-anticipated participation under previous restrictions that limited funding to single secondary units on owner-occupied properties.
Usage Restrictions Apply
Program recipients must comply with a five-year restriction prohibiting short-term rental use of funded units. Violations require full repayment of grant money. Municipal planners emphasize the initiative focuses on creating permanent residential housing options, including backyard tiny homes and basement apartments.
Land-use requirements will determine final approval for dual-unit applications. Housing advocates have welcomed the changes, suggesting expanded eligibility could help address regional housing shortages through distributed, small-scale development.
