Please view the latest articles and information in regards to Compass NS or the co-operative housing sector. Visit the about page to learn more about Compass NS
Maitland Street Artwork
A metal art piece has been created and will be erected at the Maitland Street Development property. The art piece designed by a local Indigenous artist, Alan Syliboy from Redcrane Studios and produced by Creative Metals is currently weathering for installation in September.
Future Unity North Neighbourhood
The development on Maitland Street progressed with internal work including: drywall, plumbing rough-in and elevator install.
The first occupancy for building 2 is scheduled for late summer/early fall of 2024 and building 1 is scheduled for late fall of 2024.
January - March 2024 quarterly communications report
Thank you for filling out our Community Naming Survey
for Compass NS’s new Neighbourhood to be located in the North End of Halifax on Maitland Street.
October-December 2023 quarterly communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
July-September 2023 quarterly communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
April-June 2023 quarterly communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Research shines light on rural homelessness in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley
A researcher said some people find it “shocking” to learn that there are so many individuals and families throughout the Annapolis Valley who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Click here to learn more
Published: July 13, 2023
January-March 2023 quarterly communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Housing crisis pushes once-thriving co-op movement back into the spotlight
Co-ops offer ‘an affordable and democratic alternative’ to the private housing market. But government restraint means they must fight for survival. Click here to learn more
Published: March 31, 2023
Co-op member shares experience for those attending CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting
CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting is jam-packed with benefits for everyone who attends. Click here to learn more
Released: March 2023
October - December 2022 Communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Nova Scotia Community Housing Growth Fund
The Community Housing Growth Fund (CHGF) offers financial resources to support Nova Scotia’s non-profit and co-operative housing sector. The fund provides money, new tools and expertise, empowering community housing providers to increase the supply of affordable housing options through three grants programs and one investment. Click here to learn more
July - September 2022 Communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Halifax Co-op development reaches out to local community
To support the co-op housing movement’s vision of Co-op Housing for All, Compass NS is using a unique process to reach out to the people in the North End. Click here to read more
Released: September 2022
Over $13 million pledged to fix up province’s co-op housing stock
Click here to read more
Released: July, 2022
Compass NS - June-April 2022 Communications report
Click here to review out most recent communications report
The ground has been broken at Maitland Street
The board is pleased to announce that the Maitland Street development project construction has commenced with an estimated 18 month construction period.
June 2022
Maitland Street Development
Global News visited the Maitland Street development site to talk Keith Compass NS President, Keith MacDonald about the development project.
Click here to watch (starts at 5:55)
Aired: June 17, 2022
Compass NS - Jan-March 2022 Communication report
Click here to view Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Nikki Jamieson, Compass NS board member spoke on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals webinar
Phone in: Housing Co-ops
“Most people know that you can rent, or you can own a home. But there’s another choice out there, that puts people first.”
Listen to CHF Canada's Executive Director Tim Ross on CBC Maritime Noon, on the history and future of housing co-ops in the Maritimes (segment starts at 13:15).
Aired: March 15, 2022
Compass NS - Sept - Dec 2021 Communication report
Click here to view Compass NS’s most recent communications report
How 2 students uncovered Antigonish's long-forgotten Black housing co-operative
Co-op started in the 1960s after some families were displaced to make way for the Trans-Canada Highway
Released: January 5, 2022
N.S. to maintain rent cap, create 1,100 more affordable housing units
The Nova Scotia Government has unveiled what it is calling a comprehensive masterplan to address the ongoing housing crisis in the province, including maintaining the two per cent rent increase cap while it creates more affordable housing.
Released: October 20, 2021
Compass NS - May-August Communication report
Click here to view Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Co-op housing: A not-for-profit solution to the housing crisis?
Compass NS’s President, Karen Brodeur interviewed by Portia Clark on CBC Information morning in regards to how co-operative housing works - and the new co-op projects could provide some relief to the housing crisis in Nova Scotia.
Released: September 8, 2021
TIM ROSS: Co-op housing key to solving Nova Scotia's rising-rent crisis
Co-op housing is more secure because there is no outside landlord who might sell or move in. Co-op residents are members, not tenants. Membership means you own a share in the co-operative and you have a say in how your community is run.
Released: August 19, 2021
The Future of Collective Impact
At the Collective Impact Summit, The Tamarack Institute asked 5 keynotes - Melody Barnes, John Kania, Brenda Zimmerman, Jay Connor and Paul Born - what is the future of Collective Impact? You may be surprised by what they say.
N.S. to spend $25M on affordable housing programs
The Nova Scotia government announced on Tuesday it will spend $25 million on affordable housing programs, a move that follows the release of a report in June from the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission.
Released: July 7, 2021
Compass NS - Feb-April 2021 Communications report
Click here to review Compass NS’s most recent communications report
Community Based Tenant Initiative Fund - Project approved
Compass NS applied and was approved for the Community Housing Transformation Centre’s Community Based Tenant Initiative Fund project (CBTIF). The CBTIF aims to support vulnerable tenants by providing opportunities for them to become involved in housing decisions that affect them. The Community Housing Transformation Centre provides financial assistance to projects submitted by community housing providers, non-profit organizations or tenant associations.
This grant will be used to expand on Compass NS’s annual plan to create a membership engagement strategy through a facilitated process. The grant funding allows the engagement strategy to include an education strategy and access to technology strategy.
Visit https://centre.support/our-grants/community-based-tenant-initiative/ to learn more about the program.
Released: May, 2021
CHF Canada makes recommendations to
grow co-op sector in Nova Scotia
Like most cities in Canada, the cost of housing has grown faster in Halifax than incomes in recent years. And renters in rural areas are particularly feeling the squeeze, with fewer and fewer options in the province. Non-market options, like co-op housing, are essential to bring housing security and affordability to those who need it.
As the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission reviews the current state of affordable housing in Nova Scotia, we have identified two key recommendations that we believe will help increase the supply of, and access to, affordable housing. Visit CHF Canada’s website to learn more.
Released: April, 2021
Build Together:
Strengthening the Community Housing Sector in Nova Scotia
Extension and the Community Housing Transformation Centre (the Centre) are working in partnership to engage with the community housing sector in Nova Scotia – to share successes, recognize strengths, address challenges and barriers, identify gaps, and discover new ways of working together for greater collective impact.
Released: March, 2021
Homelessness is an issue in just about every community':
A Q&A with the Tri-County Women's Centre
News release: March 16, 2021
57 affordable housing units to replace parking lot in north-end Halifax
Halifax MP Andy Fillmore announced Thursday, March 4, that there will be two affordable housing buildings coming to Maitland Street in north-end Halifax.
News release: March 4, 2021
Halifax parking lot 'blight' to be turned into affordable housing
Social Sharing
A large parking lot that's become a canvas for graffiti in Halifax's North End is being converted into a pair of low-rise buildings that will provide 57 affordable apartment units.
News release: March 4, 2021
New Affordable Homes Coming to Halifax
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.
Today, Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced that 57 families in Halifax will soon have access to new affordable homes.
News release: March 4, 2021
New Affordable Homes Coming to Halifax
The new North-End Neighbourhood Development, by Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes Ltd. (Compass NS), will consist of two buildings of 27 and 30 units each on Maitland St. near the downtown business district in Halifax.
News release: March 4, 2021
Province Supports Four Affordable Housing Developments, Low-Income Home Repairs
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Chuck Porter announced that the province would invest $5.7 million to help create 109 units of affordable housing in four developments.
News Release: February 3, 2021
Karen Brodeur appointed to new Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission
As part of the announcement of a 2% cap on rent increases and a ban on evictions during the pandemic, Housing Minister Chuck Porter also launched a new Affordable Housing Commission, which includes Compass NS’s President Karen Brodeur (CHF Canada’s Manager Atlantic Region) as a member.
The commission is made up of experts in the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors and will make recommendations about affordable housing strategies and actions to the Province.
News release: December, 2020
Co-operative Units Saved
At the beginning of October 2019, Compass NS was successful in saving 39 units of existing co-operative housing. For the last several years, four co-operatives across Nova Scotia were struggling and were at risk of being lost to the co-operative sector. Compass NS presented a proposal to save the units and the proposal was accepted.
Compass NS welcomed Spanish Bay Neighbourhood
Compass NS and Spanish Bay Housing Co-operative officially amalgamated in April 2020. Spanish Bay is an 18 unit neighbourhood in Cape Breton.
Compass NS welcomed Central Dartmouth Neighbourhood
On December 10th, 2019, Central Dartmouth Housing Co-operative was the first co-operative to amalgamate with Compass NS.
Compass NS has been successful in obtaining grant funding through the Community Housing Transformation Centre.
Funding will help to support:
* education * community development *marketing * improved technology
Apply Now
Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes is a membership organization that aims to provide safe, affordable housing. Members in the co-operative can be either non-resident or resident. To apply, complete the online application form.
More Links
Compass NS believes that partners are essential to fulfill the mission, vision and mandate of the co-operative. To find out more about our partners, please follow the link above.
Membership
Once you become a member of Compass NS you will have access to our member’s only section. Information including notices, minutes, bylaws and policies will be made available to our members.