FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Rooted and Province of Nova Scotia Deliver New Affordable Homes Through Historic Housing Investment
Halifax, NS (July 22, 2025) – More households will have affordable homes in HRM thanks to hard work by Rooted: Community Development Partners, with help from the Province and other partners.
Funding includes $1.4 million through the Affordable Housing Development Program, and $3.1 million through Canada’s National Housing Strategy Initiative, managed by the Province.
At the centre of today’s announcement is The Crosswoods at 1 Circassion Drive in Cole Harbour, the first project completed under Nova Scotia’s Land for Housing initiative. The project features 18 new residential units, with nine designated as affordable, offering rents well below market average.
The Crosswoods is the first multi-residential hybrid mass timber project in Atlantic Canada. Designed by ZZAP Architecture and built by Bruno Builders, the structure uses cross-laminated timber (CLT) to deliver both energy and construction efficiencies. The project is expected to achieve a 60% reduction in energy use compared to baseline, setting a new standard for future-forward housing in the region.
The $7.7 million project was made possible by a blend of public and private support, including:
- Province of Nova Scotia, through the Affordable Housing Development Program
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
- Halifax Regional Municipality, which contributed $131,861 through its grant program and supported essential water drainage upgrades on and off site
- Efficiency Nova Scotia, which provided $144,000 through the Affordable Rental Construction (ARC) funding stream
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which provided $25,000 from the Green Municipal Fund
Rooted also recently acquired two existing buildings on Gaston Road in Dartmouth, preserving 84 units of affordable rental housing. These homes, supported by an $8.9 million low-interest loan and a $2.2 million grant through the Nova Scotia Community Housing Capital Fund, ensure critical affordability is maintained in an increasingly expensive rental market. The fund is administered jointly by the Province and the Community Housing Transformation Centre (CHTC).
The Province provided more than $11.1 million to make that possible, including an $8.9 million, low-interest repayable loan and $2.2 million in grants from provincial housing funds.
By enabling non-profit housing organizations to purchase at-risk rental buildings, this ensures affordability is maintained permanently and shields tenants from displacement by profit-driven investors. Non-profit owners bring long-term commitment and community-focused mandates, enabling building renewals and tenant engagement without the pressure to sell or reprice units.
Quotes
“Our government is focused on getting more people in housing, faster – and it’s working. Investments like these are both preserving and increasing affordable housing supply, and that makes life better for Nova Scotians.”
– Minister of Growth and Development, Colton LeBlanc
“This project demonstrates what’s possible when community values, smart, sustainable development, and public-private collaboration come together. Our goal is to build communities where people feel they have a space to grow and thrive. This ultimately results in greater prosperity for all. The Crosswoods is a milestone in the pathway towards inclusive development, setting a new standard for what affordable housing can look like in Nova Scotia.”
– Nick Russell, CEO, Rooted: Community Development Partners
“Moving into The Crosswoods has been a lifesaver. Our apartment is fully accessible, thoughtfully designed for wheelchair and walker users – from the low sinks to the front-control stove and walk-in shower. The sense of community is already strong, and the building feels like home. We’ve met great neighbours and feel truly supported here.”
-New Tenant, The Crosswoods
“We put people and communities at the center of development. On behalf of our board, I am proud to see the alignment of public investment, building innovation and community-led leadership in bringing these projects to life. It takes extensive planning and engagement with citizens and partners to get this right – and I am deeply proud of Rooted’s leadership for what we have announced today and what we will see in affordable housing for the future.”
-J.P. Collins, Board Chair, Rooted: Community Development Partners
Quick Facts
- Since 2023, the Province has helped create 51,352 new housing units under the Action for Housing plan
- More than 3,500 affordable and supportive units have been enabled through government support
- The Crosswoods is the first Land for Housing site to be awarded and fully constructed on
- The project uses hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT), a first for multi-residential development in Atlantic Canada
- The building anticipates a 60% reduction in energy use compared to standard baseline
About Rooted: Community Development Partners
Established in 1982, Rooted: Community Development Partners is a mission-driven organization in Nova Scotia, dedicated to creating affordable, inclusive, and sustainable communities. With a people-first approach, Rooted collaborates with public and private partners to deliver housing solutions that reflect the values of equity, resilience, and innovation. From transforming underutilized land into vibrant residential spaces to preserving naturally occurring affordable housing, Rooted is reimagining how development can serve the common good. Their projects prioritize smart design, environmental performance, and long-term community impact.
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Media Contact:
Tara Wickwire
Rooted: Community Development Partners
902-403-6391
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