CBRM Housing Strategy

About the project

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is undertaking a Housing Strategy to identify existing housing challenges, opportunities and solutions.

This work will include:

Public and stakeholder engagement to inform the Housing Strategy;
Recommendations for a potential new comprehensive residential development incentive program;
Identification of municipality owned surplus lands suitable for residential development;
Residential development incentive program analysis including a land development framework, policy and regulatory review, and financial feasibility assessment; and
Implementation of a road map and monitoring and evaluation framework.

This Housing Strategy will provide a framework for CBRM to support housing across the municipality. It will serve as a comprehensive and measurable plan to increase the amount of housing in CBRM’s communities while promoting sustainable growth and development.

The Housing Strategy will be guided by the CBRM Forward Project. CBRM Forward was a comprehensive project focused on updating CBRM’s Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS), Land Use Bylaw (LUB), Economic Development Strategy and Growth Management Strategy. The Housing Strategy will look specifically at solutions to improve housing in CBRM.

Public Engagement

We currently have no public engagement events or opportunities scheduled. We will continue to update this space as our housing strategy progresses.

Fast Tracked Housing Designs

The fast-tracked housing design initiative is a new program by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to make home construction faster, easier and more affordable. This initiative offers fast-tracked housing designs that meet local planning regulations, building code requirements, and energy efficiency standards.

Browse our design book to help guide you through design choices.

Once you've made your selection, a copy of the construction documents can be requested by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please include in the subject line: the number of units, whether you are seeking code-compliant or net-zero-ready designs, and whether you are looking for accessible options.
Example: Construction documents request for a large one unit, accessible, net-zero-ready.

We do not require a copy of these documents for the permit application. Simply indicate in your description of work which design you intend to use and submit all other relevant information.

Reports

What We Heard- Phase 1 Report

CBRM's Housing Story- Phase 1 Report

Residential Development Incentives- Phase 2 Report

What We Heard - Phase 3 Report

Residential Development Incentives - Phase 3 Report

What We Heard - Phase 4 Report

CBRM Housing Strategy - Final Report

Contact info

Lyndsay Francis, Engagement Lead & Private Planning Consultant, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Planning and Development Department, CBRM, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.