Apply for a homeowner’s supplement: Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit
The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit helps homeowners stay in their home if they pay more than 50% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on housing costs (like mortgage and utilities). Supplements are up to $200 per month. You can apply any time.
Use the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB) Application – Homeowners to apply for help with housing costs.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit provides homeowners with a monthly supplement to help with housing costs (like mortgage and utilities). The supplement is based on your household size and income.
As long as you’re eligible, you continue getting the homeowner supplement. You need to complete an annual renewal application to confirm that you’re still eligible each year.
Who the supplement goes to
You get the monthly homeowner supplement deposited directly in your bank account unless you ask for the supplement to go directly to your trustee or power of attorney.
Public housing waitlist
You can stay on the public housing waitlist if you get the homeowner supplement. But when you’re offered a public housing unit, you need to decide if you want to keep the homeowner supplement or live in the public housing unit. You can’t do both.
Homeowner supplement calculation
The amount you get each month for the homeowner supplement is calculated based on:
- how many adults and dependents are in your household
- total household income and type of income
- housing costs (like mortgage payments, property taxes, condominium fees, utilities and property insurance)
If your household income changes, your homeowner supplement won’t change until you renew the supplement next year.
Homeowner supplement payments
If your homeowner supplement payment is direct deposited, you receive your payment on the homeowner supplement payment dates. If you receive the homeowner supplement by cheque, it may take longer to arrive.
| Month | Payment date |
|---|---|
| January 2024 | 28 December 2023 |
| February 2024 | 30 January 2024 |
| March 2024 | 28 February 2024 |
| April 2024 | 27 March 2024 |
| May 2024 | 29 April 2024 |
| June 2024 | 30 May 2024 |
| July 2024 | 27 June 2024 |
| August 2024 | 30 July 2024 |
| September 2024 | 29 August 2024 |
| October 2024 | 26 September 2024 |
| November 2024 | 30 October 2024 |
| December 2024 | 28 November 2024 |
| January 2025 | 30 December 2024 |
| February 2025 | 30 January 2025 |
Income Assistance
The homeowner supplement doesn’t count as income when determining your Income Assistance benefit.
If you move
If you move to another property, your homeowner supplement stops. You can apply for the supplement again once you move into the new property.
Stop getting the homeowner supplement
Contact the program if you don’t want to receive the supplement anymore. The program can cancel your homeowner supplement if:
- you move out of the province
- you move out of your current home
- you’re no longer paying more than 50% of your pre-tax (gross) household income on housing costs
- you have committed or tried to commit fraud against the government
Eligibility
You can apply for the homeowner 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 housing costs)
- have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income below the current household income limits for average market rent for the location
- own or have a life interest (legal right to live there for life) in your own home, which is assessed for property tax purposes at no more than $300,000 in Halifax Regional Municipality or $200,000 in other regions of Nova Scotia
- live in your home permanently
How to apply
- Review detailed program criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Homeowner 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.
How long it takes
It should take 2 to 3 months for the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing 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:
- know your total pre-tax (gross) household income
- have the Social Insurance Number for everyone in your household
- know the details of all household income (where the income comes from, amount of income and which household member earned it)
- have proof of all household income
- have a copy of your deed
- have a witness available to sign the application form
- complete the Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Form (PDF) to receive your supplement electronically