More accommodation in Dartmouth, Stellarton for community college students
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New affordable and accessible housing on three Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses will accommodate 350 students and reduce pressure on housing supply in these communities.
Construction is underway at NSCC’s Akerley Campus in Dartmouth and Pictou Campus in Stellarton. These facilities are scheduled to open in September 2024, while construction of the Ivany campus in Dartmouth is expected to begin with an expected opening in September 2025. The province is investing $112 million in the three projects.
« With our strong population growth, we urgently need more housing options in the province, including for our young people pursuing post-secondary education, » Premier Tim Houston said. “Building housing takes time and that’s why we were quick to announce major housing investments on campuses in the Dartmouth and Pictou areas. It’s great to see the progress being made on these projects, as they are an important part of our overall housing strategy.
New housing on three NSCC campuses was one of the measures announced in the provincial housing and homelessness strategy, released in October 2021. The province is currently conducting research, working with partners and considering innovative projects in d other jurisdictions to develop a student housing strategy in the coming months – a first in Nova Scotia.
To help attract skilled workers needed to build infrastructure like campuses and community housing, the government is offering eligible skilled workers a refund of a portion of provincial taxes through the More Opportunities for Trades program. specialized (MOST).
Quotation:
I spoke directly to students during my first year as minister, and I constantly heard that housing was a long-standing issue that should have been addressed years ago. We are focused on developing a provincial student housing strategy that will help meet the housing needs of post-secondary students now and in the future.
Brian Wang, Minister of Higher Education
These projects, which are expected to be completed in 2024 and 2025, are great news for our students and these three campus communities. This incredible investment by the province will go a long way to improving access and, therefore, opportunities for those who want to pursue an education and a positive future.
Donation Offices, President, Nova Scotia Community College
I am pleased that this government is stepping up such a significant investment to help break down one of the barriers to education – affordable housing options. I am so grateful that this future campus facility will add another vital resource to aid in the college’s goal of supporting student success.
Astha, member, NSCC Student Union, Akerley Campus
Fast facts:
- campus accommodation sizes are as follows: Akerley – 100 beds, 4,459 square meters (48,000 square feet); Ivany – 200 beds, 8,919 square meters (96,000 square feet); Pictou – 50 beds, 2,230 square meters (24,000 square feet)
- there are approximately 3,700 students enrolled on these three campuses
- the province’s accessibility strategy, Access by Design 2030, outlines how the government is achieving an accessible province by providing people with disabilities equitable access to programs, services, information and infrastructure
- the MOST program will refund provincial personal income tax paid on the first $50,000 of income for eligible individuals under age 30, beginning with the 2022 tax year
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