AHANS is excited to welcome five new members to our Board of Directors following an open nomination process. Joining the board are Anne Marie Mason, a retired nonprofit housing leader; Jennifer Hogan, a housing and community-building advocate; Sydnee Blum, a Community Legal Worker with Dalhousie Legal Aid Service; Alexander Rimmington, an Associate Lawyer with Cox & Palmer; and Nathan Hines, Vice President of Operations at Crombie REIT. Together, the new directors bring exper

Homelessness in Halifax Regional Municipality is placing growing pressure on individuals, communities and public systems. Our new study examines the costs of current responses to homelessness and finds that investing in supportive and deeply affordable housing can provide better outcomes while reducing pressure on emergency, healthcare, and justice systems. The report, Costs of Homelessness in HRM: Benefits of Supportive Housing, draws on local service provider data, stakehol

New Glasgow Town Council’s recent motion to close the Northstar Shelter immediately reflects a growing, province-wide frustration. We hear it not only in New Glasgow's chambers; we also see it in the urgent petition from Kentville residents and business ownersconcerned about the safety and sustainability of their downtown cores. At the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia, we understand this perspective. Source: Northstar Shelter and Support Services, Facebook But we

June 24, 2026 — Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia announced $ 6 million in funding in HRM this year through our role as a community entity for Reaching Home, Canada's Homelessness Strategy. The Government of Canada program is investing $5 billion over 9 years to help reduce and prevent homelessness through this program. The announcement was made at the 902 Man Up Headquarters, Akwaaba Rev. Wallace Smith Sr. Campus in Dartmouth, NS, by the Honourable Lena Metlege D

AHANS Executive Director Michael Kabalen discusses new findings from the "Costs of Homelessness in HRM: Benefits of Supportive Housing" Report. AHANS compiled data from across HRM to better understand the monthly costs associated with homelessness. To view the full report, click here. The findings show that the monthly cost per individual is significantly higher for correctional services ($9,570), a hospital bed ($6,300), and emergency shelters ($5,162) than for supportive ho

Yarmouth MLA Nick Hilton, Acadie-Annapolis MP Chris d'Entremont, Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood and AHANS Executive Director Michael Kabalen gathered together in front of Sunset Terrace for the announcement of the Yarmouth Housing Project. On Thursday, February 19th, we gathered to announce funding for new affordable housing in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The former Sunset Terrace building is being thoughtfully repurposed to bring 12 energy-efficient homes on James Street. Through our pa

2025 Point-in-Time Count

Halifax, NS — In partnership with the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, we conducted the 2025 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count. For the first time, the PiT Count will now take place annually. A numerical count will be conducted each year, with a full survey component included every second year. In 2024, the Point-in-Time Count recorded a minimum of 1,132 individuals experiencing homelessness across the Halifax Regional Municipality. On the night of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, a tea

For decades, the standard definition of affordable housing was based on a U.S. guideline developed after World War II, which stated that housing should cost no more than 30% of a person’s income. However, this measure doesn’t always reflect today’s realities, especially for those living on fixed or limited incomes. What has long been considered ‘affordable’ is shifting, as more people define affordability based on what they can actually find that meets their needs. In Nova Sc

On CTV Your Morning Season 10 - Episode 5, Michael explores the root causes of homelessness in Halifax and systemic patterns that we are seeing. "We want homelessness to be rare, brief, and non-recurring, but what we are seeing is it's becoming more common, it's taking longer, and those that are experiencing it are having a harder time keeping housing once they get it" - Executive Director, Michael Kabalen Homelessness in Halifax has risen by 93% since 2022, far outpacing the

We are pleased to announce our new affordable housing development in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Working alongside both Passive Design Solutions and Dora Construction, our development is well underway which will provide more than 50 people with new homes early next year. Pictured is the AHANS team alongside Passive Design, Dora Construction, and Premier Tim Houston. Photo Credit: Province of Nova Scotia, July 16 “Shaw Avenue in Yarmouth is our next example of how AHANS is creatin

Listen as Michael discusses his story, and how to lead with purpose, communicate with clarity, and how we at AHANS use our platform to drive real change. Throughout the podcast episode, Michael discusses the housing non-profit sector in Nova Scotia, where Nova Scotia stands, and what actions need to be taken to create real change. We aren't just about building homes; we are about building narratives that shift public perception and influence policy. Jive Photographic Product

Executive Director Michael Kabalen discusses changes AHANS would like to see implemented in Carney's upcoming housing strategy to combat the current housing crisis in Nova Scotia. Listen Here: (Affordable Housing Wishlist, CBC Listen, Information Morning - NS with Portia Clark, May 20, 2025. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-27-information-morning-ns/clip/16147242-affordable-housing-wishlist)

HALIFAX, NS – May 28, 2025 The Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) and its partners today released the EVERYONE COUNTS IN HRM 2024 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count Report. Conducted on November 25, 2024, as part of a cross-country effort to measure homelessness in centers across Canada, this vital count engaged 95 staff from 23 agencies, providing a critical snapshot to guide efforts addressing homelessness in HRM. The Count identified a minimum of 1,132 individual

Read this article about Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia's newest proposed project, converting the former seniors boarding house into an affordable residential development with 12 individual units. (Photo By: Tina Comeau / Source: Tri-County Vanguard) “For a Victorian building as large as that building, I’m really happy that we have found an adaptive re-use that is going to not only preserve the structure of the building, but provide badly needed affordable housi

By Alison—AHANS Marketing Coordinator As I wrap up my co-op placement at AHANS through Dalhousie University, I’ve been reflecting on how valuable this experience has been. When I first joined the organization, I was excited to learn more about nonprofit work and affordable housing, but I had no idea how much I’d learn and grow over my time here. I’ve learned so much about how a nonprofit like AHANS operates—from how By-Name List statistics are gathered and formatted, to how h

Read about our recent partnership with Phoenix Youth Programs and the Province of Nova Scotia to provide supportive housing for youth! (Source: Province of Nova Scotia) "Our partnership with Phoenix Youth Programs builds upon the various supportive housing projects AHANS has delivered and will leverage strengths in both our organizations to provide a best-practice experience for our shared clients." -Michael Kabalen

Read about our latest updates as we continue developing our 24-unit Shaw Avenue building project! (Source: Tina Comeau, PNI Atlantic News)

On February 26, the federal government announced an investment of over $14 million to support communities in addressing homelessness. “Safe and stable housing is the foundation for a better future. Through this joint investment, we are not only addressing the immediate challenges of homelessness, but also laying the groundwork for long-term solutions that will help more Nova Scotians secure permanent housing and the support they need to thrive.” (The Honourable Scott Armstron

Read about how AHANS supports the Reaching Home Program through the by-name-list system! (Source: Francis Campbell, PNI Atlantic News)