Housing and Development Support Programs

Affordable Housing Grant

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Affordable Housing Grant Policy aims to support the development of new affordable housing within the municipality by offering a one-time grant. The Affordable Housing Grant is for property owners who create affordable housing and agree to maintain affordability for at least 10 years.

In order to be eligible, the affordable housing dwelling units must:

not exceed 30 per cent of the gross annual household income, or is at 80 per cent or less than the average market rate as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for the CBRM,
have a valid Building and Development Permit issued between 2024 and 2026 for the installation of a new secondary suite, a converted dwelling, or the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, two-unit dwelling, apartment dwelling or a townhouse.
be located within the Service Area Boundary as defined by the Municipality’s Municipal Planning Strategy.

The Affordable Housing Grant has two tiers based on the rent being charged.

Tier 1: Rent does not exceed 30 precent of the gross annual household income for at least 10 years. The Tier 1 grant base amount is $20,000 per Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit, up to a maximum of $200,000 per project.

Tier 2: Rent is 80 per cent or less than the average market rent for at least 10 years. The Tier 2 grant base amount is $18,000 per Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit, up to a maximum of $160,000 per project.

Additional funding is available for projects receiving support from the Province of Nova Scotia and/or the Government of Canada.

Applications for the Affordable Housing Grant will be open until December 31, 2026, or until all funds in the Affordable Housing Reserve are allocated. Applicants are encouraged to read the policy in full to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria prior to applying for the grant.

Affordable Housing Grant Application Form: PDF

Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment Policy aims to incentivise developers, who create four or more new affordable housing dwelling units and agree to maintain affordability for at least 10 years, by reducing municipal property taxes over a 10-year period.

In order to be eligible, the affordable housing dwelling units must:

not exceed 30 per cent of the gross annual household income, or is at 80 per cent or less than the average market rate as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for the CBRM,
have a valid Building and Development Permit issued in 2024 or later.

The Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment will be a:

90 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years one and two
75 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years three and four
60 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years five and six
45 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years seven and eight
30 per cent reduction of municipal property tax in years nine and 10.

Applicants are encouraged to read the policy in full to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria prior to applying for the property tax adjustment.

Affordable Housing Property Tax Adjustment Application Form: PDF

Commercial District Development Support Program

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Commercial Development District Improvement By-Law allows property owners undertaking new commercial developments in certain areas of the Municipality to apply to have the increase in property taxes, resulting from these new developments, to be phased in over a period of five or ten years, depending the scale of the development.

You may be eligible for the incentive if the location of your proposed development is within the geographic boundaries as defined in the by law (maps shown below).

Any property owner wishing to be considered for this Development Support Program must first complete this application form. You must have a building permit prior to submitting your application.

APPLICATION FORM

AREAS CONSIDERED FOR DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM:

Dominion

Downtown North Sydney

Downtown Sydney

Downtown Sydney Mines

Northside Industrial Park

Sydport