Apply for a rent supplement: Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit

Eligibility

You can apply for the rent supplement if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you spend more than 40% of your pre-tax (gross) household income on the average market rent in your area (not the rent that you pay)
• you live in Nova Scotia
• you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or Ukrainian citizen in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization
• you have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income below the current household income limits for the housing benefit
• you rent an eligible rental unit and can provide a copy of your lease or a rent increase letter showing your address

If you’re not already renting an eligible rental unit, you can still apply. You have 90 days to find a rental until and provide a copy of your lease.

Only 1 person per household can apply.

You can’t apply for the rent supplement if:

• you live in public housing
• you already receive funding from another government program to help with the cost of your rent (like the Survivors of Gender-Based Violence Benefit) or your rental unit is subsidized by government (contact the program to see if you can still apply)
• you or someone in your household already gets a rent supplement
• you rent from a family member who lives in the same building
• you own a home or have a legal right to live in a one (this is called a life interest)
• you or someone in your household owes money to the Department of Growth and Development or the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency and haven’t arranged repayment

You can continue to receive the rent supplement if you’re eligible and complete a renewal form each year.

Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Renter Guide.

How to apply

1. Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Renter Guide.
2. Apply online for the funding.
3. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
4. Submit your completed application and supporting documents.

How long it takes

It should take 2 to 3 months for the Department of Growth and Development to review your application and let you know if your application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.

Cost

There is no cost to apply.

Before you start

Make sure you:

• have proof of pre-tax (gross) income for all household members 18 or older who are not in school
• have the Social Insurance Number for all household members 18 or older who are not in school
• have a copy of your lease or a rent increase letter showing your address
• have proof of enrollment for children 18 to 25 who attend school full-time

Apply online

When you apply online you need to create an account or sign in.

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