Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives Complete
August 13, 2026
East Hants has finished all nine housing projects it promised to complete through the Housing Accelerator Fund. Now, the municipality’s goal is to help create 1,186 new homes by February 23, 2027.
The Initiatives
- Accessory Dwelling Unit Initiative: This initiative encouraged residents to create accessory dwelling units by waiving building permit fees and promoting the opportunity to residents. The program will run until December 31, 2026.
- Lantz North Secondary Planning Strategy – The Municipality hired FBM and Englobe to complete the Secondary Planning Strategy. These consultants began this project in Spring 2024 and completed it in July 2025.
- Learn more about the strategy here: https://www.easthants.ca/lantz-secondary-planning-strategy/
- Shubenacadie Village Core Parking Plan: This initiative focused on improving parking in the Shubenacadie village core. We updated the parking requirements in the Land Use Bylaw and created a new public parking area in Shubenacadie.
- Uniacke Secondary Planning Strategy: Council adopted a new planning strategy for the Mount Uniacke and Lakelands areas. The Uniacke Secondary Planning Strategy was officially approved in April 2025.
- Learn more about the strategy here: https://www.easthants.ca/uniacke-secondary-planning-strategy/
- Building Permit Improvements: We’ve made the building permit process easier and more efficient by streamlining applications, adding new Building Officials, and introducing a new online e-permitting system for building and development permits. You can apply online through East Hants eServices
- Permit Fees Review: Planning and Development fees were reviewed, and Council approved changes where needed.
- Municipal Surplus Land Review – Municipally owned land has been reviewed for future development potential.
- Planning for More Housing: We updated the Official Community Plan to support more housing and greater density in East Hants. The changes allow more accessory dwelling units and increase as-of-right permissions in the Village Cores of Enfield, Elmsdale, Lantz and Shubenacadie from 12 to 16 units.
Use of Housing Accelerator Funds
Funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund is helping East Hants prepare for growth and improve our communities. HAF funding has supported new parks and playgrounds, a crosswalk in Enfield, streetlights in Mount Uniacke, and planning and engineering studies to support future development. Going forward, HAF funding will continue to support projects that help enable and advance housing across our communities.
