Description
Homeowners can apply for help to stay in their home if they pay more than 50% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on housing costs. Renters can apply for help with the cost of their rent if they pay more than 40% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on the average market rent in their area (not the rent that they pay).
Full details: https://www.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services/canada-nova-scotia-targeted-housing-benefit
Benefit Amount
A monthly allowance to help pay a part of housing costs.
Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for the rent supplement if you:
- are a resident of Nova Scotia, Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant
- spend more than 40% of your pre-tax (gross) household income on the average market rent in your area (not the rent that you pay); the department determines the average market rent in your area during the application process
- have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income below the current household income limits for average market rent in your area
- don’t owe money to the Department of Growth and Development or the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency (members of your household also can’t owe money to the department or housing agency)
- are renting a self-contained housing unit or a room in a rooming house
- You may also be eligible for the rent supplement if you study full-time in a recognized post-secondary institution and have dependents, a physical disability or need an accessible rental unit.
You can apply for the homeowner supplement if you:
- are a resident of Nova Scotia, Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant
- have a severe housing need (this means that you spend more than 50% of your pre-tax (gross) household income on housing costs)
- own or have a life interest (legal right to live there for life) in your own home, which is assessed for property tax purposes at no more than $360,000 in Halifax Regional Municipality and East Hants or $280,000 in other regions of Nova Scotia
- live in your home permanently.
Application Process
Rent Supplement:
- Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Renter Guide: https://www.novascotia.ca/id/MA_HOUS_020
- Complete the application form.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Send your completed application and supporting documents by email or mail.
- Department of Growth and Development reviews your application.
- A caseworker in your region reviews your application to confirm your eligibility.
Homeowner Supplement:
- Review detailed program criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Homeowner Guide: https://www.novascotia.ca/id/MA_HOUS_022
- Complete the application form.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Send your completed application and supporting documents by email or mail.
- Department of Growth and Development reviews your application.
- A caseworker in your region reviews your application to confirm your eligibility.