Housing | Housing Costs
Leaving or losing your home
Are you escaping domestic violence?
Emergency overnight shelter may be available, depending on circumstances and availability. Support Workers will give you support and guidance when you are leaving a situation of domestic violence.
🚐The bus stops at both Sobeys and the mall.
The bus runs Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
133 Church St. Unit 103.
Behind the Mall, beside the Post Office loading dock.
There are stairs to the office.
Short term emergency shelter (up to 4 weeks):
These group-home environments are staffed with compassionate, nonjudgemental Support Staff who can offer you guidance and direct you to resources that you may need like applying for housing, financial support, and legal help.
🚐 Both transition houses can help with arranging safe transportation.
Both phonelines open 24/7. Leeside's number is textable.
♿️ The address of transition houses are not public for the security of clients.
Paws & Support may be able to help foster your pets while you are living at a shelter.
Did you have a flood, fire or other disaster?
Emergency shelter
(usually a hotel room for at least one night)
In partnership with first responders, emergency managers, public officials, and in collaboration with other voluntary sector organizations, the Canadian Red Cross may provide emergency and disaster services such as emergency lodging, reception and information, emergency food, emergency clothing, personal services and family reunification services.
Hotels and Motels
$89 + tax and up
Calling is often the best way to get the lowest price.
Weekly and monthly rates may be available.
🚐 Hotels on Main St and James St are accessible by bus.
The bus runs Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Search available rooms:
Camping
$40 + tax and up
Both serviced (water, electricity, sewer) and unserviced (no utilities) sites available
*Due to high demand, availability may be limited or restricted to weekly or monthly rentals
🚐 Whidden Park is a bus stop.
The bus runs Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sleeping in your car
*Avoid sleeping in your vehicle if you can*
Never light a candle or stove in your car. You could suffocate and die from lack of oxygen.
Walmart
parking lot: allows overnight parking
50 Market St
Financial support for housing
Do you need help to pay your rent or mortgage?
You can apply for the rent supplement if you:
are a resident of Nova Scotia, Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant
have a severe housing need (this means that you spend more than 50% of your pre-tax (gross) household income on rent)
have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income below the current household income limits (PDF) for average market rent in your area
You may also be eligible for the rent supplement if you study full-time in a recognized post-secondary institution and have dependents, a physical disability or need an accessible rental unit.
How to apply
Review detailed program criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Renter Guide.
Complete the application form.
Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
Send your completed application and supporting documents by email or mail.
Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing reviews your application.
A caseworker in your region reviews your application to confirm your eligibility.
Speak directly to your caseworker to discuss your needs.
👉 You must have photo ID, your tax assessment from the previous year, and proof of need (bank statements) to apply for assistance from Community Services.
🚐The closest bus stops are at the library, Sunflower Natural Health and the Canadian Tire Gas Bar, all on Main St
The bus runs Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Department of Community Services
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
♿️ 229 Main St.
If you are facing homelessness or if you are in a situation that is dangerous to you or your dependants, Emergency Income Assistance through Community Services can offer access to money and support.
Speak directly to your caseworker to discuss your needs.
👉 You must have photo ID, your tax assessment from the previous year, and proof of need (bank statements) to apply for assistance from Community Services.
🚐The closest bus stops are at the library, Sunflower Natural Health and the Canadian Tire Gas Bar, all on Main St
The bus runs Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Department of Community Services
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
♿️ 229 Main St.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB) can help you with monthly payments of up to $200 to go towards your rent or mortgage. There is an involved application process - you will be required to submit multiple documents.
Funding for the CNSTHB is available to:
Renters who pay more than 50% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on rent*; or
Homeowners who pay more than 50% of their pre-tax household income on their housing costs.
*Rent is based on Average Market Rent (AMR) for your region not your actual rent paid. Staff reviewing your application will determine the AMR for your region and calculate your subsidy payment based on that AMR and your total pre-tax (gross) household income.
Renter Benefit
Application Guide (Download)
Application Form (Download)
Frequently Asked Questions (Download)
Homeowner Benefit
Eastern Mainland Housing Authority can help lower the rent you pay by paying a part of your rent directly to your landlord.
There is an application process and eligibility requirements.
♿️ If you are a homeowner who lives with a diability, or lives with someone who does, you may have access to financial support through Housing Nova Scotia to make your home accessible.
There is an application process and eligibility requirements. There are different programs to apply for:
You can receive up to $16,000 to remodel your home to meet the needs of the disabled resident. You must own your home.
You can receive up to $700 to make your home wheelchair accessible. If you do not own your home, you can get your landlord's permission to apply to have your rental unit remodelled.
Home care devices are not covered under this funding.
Financial Support for Homeowners from the Province
Housing Nova Scotia offers money as loans or grants to low income households to allow for emergency repairs as well as repairs related to health and safety. You must talk to a representative at Housing Nova Scotia to apply for any of these programs.
A homeowner can receive up to $25,000 as a 10 year loan to renovate to renovate to make an apartment for a senior (50+) family member.
Small Loans Assistance Program
A homeowner can receive up to $20,000 as a loan to make health and safety improvements.
This program provides funds for lower and middle income families to help build or buy modest housing. A 25-year mortgage of up to $70,000 is available. You must have been employed with the same employer for at least one year to apply.
This program provides assistance to homeowners to make major repairs or renovations to their homes to meet the minimum level of health and safety standards. This program offers 10-year loans.
Your home must also require repairs to any one of the following major areas:
Structural
Framework
Plumbing
Electrical system
Heating system
Fire safety
Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program
You can receive up to $6,500 to fix health and safety issues in your home.
Your home must also require repairs to any one of the following major areas:
Wiring
Roofing
Septic Tanks
Wells
You can receive up to $7,000 if you live in a rural area and are in need of emergency repairs to continue to safely live in their homes. Antigonish is considered rural.
Only certain repairs are considered to be emergency repairs. This includes repairs to:
Heating systems
Chimneys
Doors and windows
Foundations
Roofs, walls, floors and ceilings
Vents, louvres
Plumbing
Electrical systems
These repairs are not required to bring houses up to minimum standards.
Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Homeowners
You can receive up to $16,000 to modify their home to meet the needs of disabled residents.
Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs (RRAP)
You can receive up to $18,00 if you own and occupy a home that does not meet minimum levels of health and safety.
Eligible properties either lack basic facilities, or require repairs in one or more of the following five categories:
Structural
Electrical
Plumbing
Heating
Fire safety
Financial assistance may also be available to help with overcrowding.
Do you need financial help to buy a home?
The Nova Scotia government's Down Payment Assistance Program helps people who pre-qualify for a mortgage with an interest-free loan to help put a down payment on a house worth $200,000 or less.
You must meet a number of qualifying criteria. Learn more here.
Do you need help paying your property tax?
You can appeal your property tax assessment and have your assessed valued reviewed and recalculated. The deadline is shortly after you receive your assessment. The form to appeal is on the back on your assessment letter.
The Town of Antigonish offers a Low Income Tax Exemption for homeowners.
You can apply for a $400 reduction of your property taxes if your household earned less than $25,000 in the previous tax year. You need to have your Notice of Assessment to apply.
Town of Antigonish - Property Tax
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish offers a Low Income Tax Exemption for homeowners.
You can apply for a $200 reduction of your property taxes if your household earned less than $30,000 in the previous tax year. You need to have your Notice of Assessment to apply.
Applications are accepted between July and December.
County of Antigonish - Property Tax
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish offers a Low Income Tax Exemption for Seniors who are homeowners.
You must file for a tax rebate from the County before you can apply for the Provincial Rebate. Applications are accepted from March until December 31st.
County of Antigonish - Seniors Property Tax
The Province of Nova Scotia offers a Low Income Tax Exemption for Seniors who are homeowners.
You can get up to $800 to cover 50% of your municipal tax bill and other municipal taxes like Fire Services from the Province. You must be up-to-date on your tax filings and apply during the same year as your tax bill. If you received a rebate from the Town or County that amount will be deducted from your claim
Province of Nova Scotia - Seniors Property Tax
Do you need help managing your money so you can pay your rent?
If you struggle with budgeting your money, Viola's Place Community Trustees can step in to manage your money by temporarily taking control of your finances.
They will cash your cheques and make sure all your bills are paid. Then they give you your remaining money and help you plan your spending.
VIola's Place Community Trustees
Finding somewhere to live
Do you need help finding and applying for apartments?
Get help with housing applications, communicating with landlords, and navigating the process of finding a new place to live.
Both agencies are best reached by phone or email.
A Roof Over Your Head
Viola's Place (Housing Coordinator)
Are you looking for a place to rent?
Browse local rental listings:
Many rentals are geared towards students and may appear to be an apartment for rent, but the ad is actually for a room in a shared house. Read carefully.
Looks too good to be true? It might be a scam. Be sure to look at the unit and sign paperwork before handing over any money. Scam ads look just like real ads, but the scammer will try to get you to prepay to hold the apartment or will use some kind of reason to convince you to send them money right away. If you are scammed, don't be embarrassed. Report what happened to the RCMP.
Rent Gorilla
Antigonish Rentals
Facebook Marketplace
Kijiji
Antigonish Affordable Housing Society (AAHA) owns and operates two Housing Estates with units with one, two or three bedrooms. Rent varies by the size and location of the apartment. It is expected that more units will be built in the coming years.
To apply you must:
Have lived in Antigonish for at least 3 years
Meet the minimum income threshold (determined by unit size)
Provide your most recent tax assessment
Prove that no one in your household has a violent criminal record, or is a registered sex offender
If your total household income is more than $47,500 (one-bedroom), $54,500 (two-bedroom) or $64,000 (three-bedroom) your application will not be accepted.
Details about available units and application criteria are listed on the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society website.
📝Applications are available at the Antigonish People's Place Library and online.
It is important to note that AAHS has a mandatory requirement that tenants purchase and provide proof of an active tenant insurance policy once an applicant is selected. AAHS also has a pet policy stating tenants may keep a bird, fish, hamster, or cat, as long as the pet doesn’t disturb or harm other residents. Smoking of tobacco and cannabis in the units is not permitted and there will be no growing of cannabis on the property. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas.
Riverside Estates
12 Hope Lane, Sylvan Valley
Appleseed Court
29 Appleseed Drive
Eastern Mainland Housing Authority manages low-income housing in Antigonish, Guysborough and Pictou Counties. These units are called "Public Housing".
To apply you must:
Have a total household income under the maximum for the size of unit you are applying for (see application for details)
Not currently live in housing owned and operated by Housing Nova Scotia
Not receiving a rent supplement
For most units, you must have lived in the municipality where you are applying for twelve (12) consecutive months during the last twenty-three (23) months, or, must have lived in the municipality for five (5) consecutive years since you turned 18.
🚭 All units are now non-smoking, but tenants in the building who moved in before this policy came into effect are still allowed to smoke.
Antigonish Town Public Housing:
3-4 Bedroom houses for families: Throughout town
JJ Carroll House: 50 Units | ♿️ 4 Units| No pets
Hillside Manor: 15 Units | ♿️ 1 Unit | No pets
Antigonish Manor: 25 Units | ♿️ 4 Units | No pets | For seniors
Orchard Villa: 29 Units| ♿️ Elevator | Pets on ground floor
Antigonish County Public Housing:
3-4 Bedroom houses for families: Throughout county
Greenwold Manor: 55 Units | ♿️ 5 Units | No pets
Havre Boucher: 10 Units | ♿️ 1 Unit | All ground floor
Co-operative Housing is when the tenants are members of a non-for-profit that owns and maintains the building that they live in. A Board of Directors is elected to make day-to-day operational decisions and to act as leaders in the community. Rent is directly invested back into the community.
Every co-op runs a little differently because these decisions are made by the tenant-members.
There are a number of co-ops in Antigonish. Because there are so many benefits to living in a coop, there are always waitlists. If you want to live in a coop, apply as early as you can.
👉Available units may not be advertised. Make sure people you know who live in co-ops know that you are looking to become a member.
Antigonish co-ops and application links (if available)
Topshee: 10 Units. Apply online | Download application [PDF]
Brierly: 11 Court St.
Lorentchia: 32 Units. | All 2-bedroom apartments | Cat-friendly | Download application [PDF]
Highland: 79 Units (74 two-bedroom, 2 one-bedroom) | 86 St. Ninian St. and Arbor Dr. | Download application [PDF]
Antigonish County co-ops and application links (if available)
St Andrews Seniors Housing Authority (SASHA): 16 Units | St Andrews
Topshee Housing Co-op
35 Grandview Drive
Brierly Housing Co-op
11 Court St.
Lorentchia Housing Co-op
77 Highland Dr.
Highland Housing Co-op
86 St Ninian & 27 Arbor Dr.
St Andrews Seniors Housing Authority
Legal help
Are you being evicted or having landlord troubles?
Get free legal advice.
Legal Info Nova Scotia
Free Legal Aid Clinics and Workshops (in-person and online)
Get a free or low rate lawyer.
Legal Info NS lawyer referrals:
Legal Aid Antigonish
More help and support
Downloadable booklets
Homebuying Step-by-Step: Your Guide to Buying a Home in Canada [PDF]
Home Maintenance Checklists: Educational Materials for First Time Home Buyers [PDF]
Residential Tenancies Guide - Renting - English
Alternative format: Residential Tenancies Guides - Renting: Arabic
Residential Tenancies Guides - Renting: Mandarin
Residential Tenancies Guides - Renting: Punjabi
Search for information about government programs.
By Topic (ex. Housing)
By Department or Service Provider (ex. Community Services)
By Program or Service Provided (ex. accessible transportation)
Search for contact information of program and service providers across the province.
Fill out a simple, confidential survey to see what government benefits you are eligible for, with links to applications.
The regional library’s website has a directory of services and collections of brochures on subjects including:
The Health & Wellness section, in particular, has multiple links to information on subjects as wide-ranging as Affordable Housing to Grief to Diabetes.