The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association (NSNPHA) is seeking new faces to join our Board of Directors. We are accepting Expressions of Interest from sector professionals, advocates, and individuals with a passion for non-profit housing who are interested in governing our growing organization.
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2025 Housing Symposium: From Crisis to Commitment
Exciting News!
Registration is now open for the 2025 Housing Symposium, and you can get your tickets from the Eventbrite link below! If you are an NSNPHA member you can take advantage of a 25% discount on tickets. Email adrian@nsnpha.com for your discount codes and instructions. 2025 Housing Symposium: From Crisis to Commitment Tickets, Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite
If you are NOT currently a member of NSNPHA, this would be a great opportunity to become one. Enjoy a discount on the Symposium and many more benefits by becoming a member today! Apply for membership via our website: Members – NSNPHA – Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association
The Housing Symposium is an annual event sponsored by the Halifax Housing and Homelessness Partnership (HHP) and organized by the United Way Maritimes in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association. In previous years, the Housing Symposium focused on housing and homelessness in Halifax Regional Municipality but has since expanded to encompass all of Nova Scotia and related issues across the Maritimes.This influential event brings together visionary leaders, policy innovators, developers, and passionate community advocates to tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the future of housing.
You can find more details, buy your tickets and register for the Symposium through Eventbrite here: 2025 Housing Symposium: From Crisis to Commitment Tickets, Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite
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Strategic Plan 2025-2028
NSNPHA is pleased to share our Strategic Plan for 2025–2028. This plan reflects our vision for the future, outlining priorities and actions that will guide the organization over the next three years. We’re excited to move forward together and continue strengthening affordable housing across Nova Scotia.
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AGM Recap & Annual Report
Photographed left to right: NSNPHA Board Chair, Nick Russell — Rooted- Community Development Partners; NSNPHA Executive Director, Trish McCourt; Past Board Chair, Aiden Kivisto — YMCA of Cumberland; Past Board Treasurer, Leslay Harris — Tawaak Housing Association; Board Secretary, Mitchell Archibald — Student Housing Nova Scotia.
NSNPHA AGM & Education Sessions Recap
On June 18, we hosted our first in-person Annual General Meeting and Education Sessions, bringing members, partners, and sector leaders together for a full day of learning and connection.
Event Highlights:
- Our Government Funding Panel featured updates from CMHC, CHTC, and the Government of Nova Scotia on available funding and future opportunities.
- The Innovative Financing session explored new financing frameworks to support non-profit housing growth.
- Dr Katie MacDonald presented preliminary findings and next steps on her research to support a thriving housing sector.
- The NSNPHA AGM included the release of the 2024/25 Annual Report and a first look at our new Strategic Framework, which highlights our updated vision, mission and values, and is focused on sector leadership, member support, and association growth.
- Minister Colton LeBlanc shared remarks reinforcing government’s commitment to growth in the sector.
- Sarah Button presented strategies for growth and collaboration in non-profit housing.
- The Town Planner Panel discussed strategies on how to engage and collaborate effectively with local planning departments.
- Myra Pennington highlighted how Affordable360 can support organizations during the early stages of housing development.
We asked participants what they liked most about the event, here is what they said:
“A chance to network and learn more as this is our first experience with non-profit housing.” “Networking”
“All the information provided is very helpful.” “The software 360 and the panel regarding financing. Powerful to overcome pre-development.” “The funding Q&A and the scaling up presentations/discussions were excellent.”Below you can find the full Annual Report for review!
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INTERNATIONAL SOCIALHOUSING FESTIVAL (ISHF) 2025
Overview of the Festival
The 5th International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) in Dublin, Ireland, brought together over 2200 delegates from up to 40 countries across five continents. The festival’s central theme for Dublin 2025 was “storytelling,” a tradition strong in Dublin and Ireland, explored across 300 sessions and events. The event aimed to demonstrate that the need for social and affordable housing is a global phenomenon.
Key sessions attended
Affordable Housing in Parma: Living Together, Growing Together / Municipal Models for Affordable Housing – Parma, Italy
This session highlighted Parma’s inclusive housing model, where residents live in community-focused social housing developments.
Creating Housing on Ireland’s Offshore Islands and Colorado’s Rural
These sessions explored shared challenges between Ireland’s island housing issues and rural Colorado communities, including land use restrictions, labor shortages, and funding policy misalignment.
Land Use Reform & Prop 123 (Colorado) / U.S. Case Study – Land Use Reform in Colorado
Proposition 123, passed in 2022, provides permanent funding for affordable housing in Colorado through a 0.1% allocation of taxable income.
Community-Led Solutions – HomesFund (Colorado)
HomesFund provides silent second mortgages to help households close financing gaps in rural Colorado, leveraging employer partnerships and state support.
Housing Strategy 101
This session presented a three-pillar strategy: preserving existing stock (NOAH – Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing), promoting new development, and increasing access through services.
See the full report below for more details and the full list of sessions attended!
Implications for NSNPHA
The international models presented at the ISHF 2025 reinforce the value of intentional design, non-market delivery, and cross-sector collaboration. For NSNPHA, this suggests exploring:
- New ownership and rental models.
- Participatory planning with members.
- Advocacy for infrastructure and climate adaptation funding.
- Integration of health/social supports in housing delivery.
Specifically, NSNPHA may find inspiration to:
- Consider strategic partnerships to pilot rural-specific solutions, including modular builds.
- Strengthen the role of tenant engagement and lived experience in planning and policy.
- Advocate for stable, dedicated housing funds using models like Colorado’s Proposition 123.
- Explore second mortgage tools or employer-assisted housing for workforce support.
Below please find the full report!
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When “More Supply” Isn’t Enough: Let’s Talk About Rent, Incentives, and the Power of Non-Profit Housing
By Trish McCourtThere’s a common belief that if we just build more housing, affordability will follow. And while there’s some truth to that, what’s happening right now in Halifax suggests it’s not quite that simple.
A recent allNovaScotia.com article pointed out something that many renters already notice: some of the newer, higher-end rentals are sitting empty, while prices in more affordable units keep rising. It’s a strange paradox—vacant buildings on one end, and people struggling to find anything livable on the other.
One part of the story that doesn’t get enough attention is the role of incentives. Landlords are offering things like a free month of rent, moving bonuses, or free parking to attract tenants. But even when those perks are added, the actual rent written on the lease stays high—and that’s the number used to calculate future increases.
In other words, even if someone pays less at first, the long-term rent stays high. And because rent caps in Nova Scotia are tied to that lease number, these incentives help keep the baseline inflated.
To be clear, my comments aren’t about blaming landlords. Many are facing high interest rates, insurance costs, and other financial pressures. Offering incentives might feel like the only option to fill a unit without lowering the listed rent, which could hurt future revenue or make investors nervous.
But maybe it’s time we asked a simple question: if a unit isn’t renting at $2,000 a month, what would happen if the rent were just lowered—without the extras?
This is where non-profit housing works differently. Non-profit providers don’t offer bonuses or flashy deals. Their goal is to keep rents affordable and stable over the long term—both for tenants and the sustainability of the housing itself. Instead of short-term perks, they focus on long-term value.
More non-profit and co-op housing in our communities doesn’t just help the people who live there—it takes some pressure off the whole market. At the same time it puts a little pressure on to keep some market rents more affordable. When people have access to secure, affordable homes, they aren’t forced into overpriced units out of desperation. That benefits everyone, including private landlords who are also looking for more stability.
There are policy changes that could help too—like making it easier to track “net effective rent” (what tenants actually pay), or prioritizing non-profit housing in affordable housing development programs. Perhaps there is a place for better incentives for landlords to offer truly affordable rents. But more than that, we need a shift in mindset.
Housing isn’t just a transaction. It’s the foundation of people’s lives. And sometimes, the answer isn’t a move-in bonus or a parking spot—it’s simply a rent people can afford. Sometimes, it’s just lowering the rent.
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Request for Proposals (RFP) Event Planning Framework
Call for Proposals: Event Planning Framework Consultant
Deadline to Apply: July 21, 2025The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association (NSNPHA) is seeking a consultant to help us design a practical, user-friendly Event Planning Framework and deliver a brief staff training session.
This short-term contract includes:
- Developing templates and checklists for event planning
- Creating a streamlined, step-by-step planning guide
- Hosting a 1–2 hour training session for NSNPHA staff
To apply or inquire, contact:
Trish McCourt, Executive Director
Email: trish@nsnpha.com
Subject Line: RFP Submission – Event Planning Framework ConsultantQuestions? Submit them by July 16, 2025
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Deadline Extended: Calling Speakers for the 2025 Housing Symposium!
Call for Speakers: 2025 Housing Symposium
📅 Monday, October 20, 2025
📍 Atlantica Hotel, HalifaxDo you have a bold idea, lived experience, or fresh solution that could help reimagine housing in Nova Scotia?
We’re now accepting speaker submissions for the 2025 Housing Symposium—an annual gathering of changemakers, advocates, service providers, and government leaders who believe housing is a human right.
In partnership with United Way Maritimes and The Housing and Homelessness Partnership, this full-day event is designed to spark new ideas, build connections, and fuel collective action.
✨ Last year’s Symposium sold out—this year, we’re expanding to a larger venue so even more voices can be heard.
Whether you’re driving systems change, building housing, supporting communities, or sharing your lived experience—we want to hear from you.
📩 Submit your speaker proposal today
🗓️ Extended Deadline: July 30, 2025Let’s move from crisis to commitment—together.
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Request for Proposals (RFP) Digital Collaboration and Technical Support Consultant
Call for Proposals: Digital Collaboration & Technical Support Consultant
Deadline to Apply: July 9, 2025The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association (NSNPHA) is seeking a consultant or firm to enhance our digital collaboration tools and support our growing network of housing providers across the province.
This short-term contract (July 2025–March 2026) will focus on optimizing our Microsoft Teams and SharePoint platforms, developing accessible training resources, and delivering user support to ensure ongoing digital confidence and efficiency.
We welcome proposals from those with experience in platform optimization, digital training, and nonprofit collaboration—especially in rural or volunteer-driven contexts.
To apply or inquire, contact:
Trish McCourt, Executive Director
Email: trish@nsnpha.com
Subject Line: RFP Submission – Digital Collaboration ConsultantQuestions? Submit them by July 4, 2025
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Request for Submissions for Speakers
Call for Speakers: 2025 Housing Symposium
📅 Monday, October 20, 2025
📍 Atlantica Hotel, HalifaxWe’re now accepting speaker submissions for the 2025 Housing Symposium!
Brought to you in partnership with United Way Maritimes and The Housing and Homelessness Partnership, this annual event brings together housing leaders, service providers, advocates, and government partners for a full day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
Last year’s event sold out with 250 attendees—this year, we’re moving to a larger venue to welcome even more voices and perspectives.
If you have an idea, innovation, or insight to share around housing solutions, policy, lived experience, community development, or systems change, we want to hear from you!
📩 Submit your speaker proposal today
🗓️ Deadline: July 10, 2025 (Deadline extended to July 30, 2025)