Apply for operating subsidies for community housing: Community Housing Operating Support Program
The Community Housing Operating Support Program provides short-term operating support for community housing providers. Community housing organizations can apply to Community Housing Operating Support Program for operating subsidies to meet immediate need. You can apply anytime.
Use the Community Housing Operating Support (CHOS) Program Guide and Application Form to apply for short-term operating subsidies to meet immediate need.
You need to use the funding to cover short-term operating and maintenance costs.
Priority is given to organizations that:
- have a plan to improve housing outcomes for underrepresented or equity-seeking communities
- offer deep affordability to low-income households
- demonstrate potential to help grow the community housing sector in Nova Scotia
- are at the end of long-term subsidy agreements
Funding amount
Funding is available for a 1-year term. The amount of the subsidy is calculated based on 80% of average market rent (AMR) for similar-sized rental units for the location minus your actual revenues. The applicant needs to fund the remaining balance of the operating and maintenance costs.
Reporting requirements
If you receive funding from the Community Housing Operating Support Program, you need to submit annual reporting including financial statements, rent roll (total income from the property) and an updated sustainability plan.
Accessing the funding
Once funding is approved, the Community Housing Operating Support Program provides a Project Contribution Agreement. The housing provider and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing sign the agreement before you get the funding.
Eligibility
You can apply for funding if you’re a community housing provider.
You need to:
- be non-profit society, charity or housing co-operative registered and in good standing with Registry of Joint Stock Companies or under provincial or territorial legislation in Canada and are authorized to operate Nova Scotia
- provide affordable housing to low-income households (at least 30% of your rental units need to be affordable units during the fiscal year you receive the subsidies)
- demonstrate financial need
Affordable housing is housing where the rent is below the average market rent (AMR) for the location.
How to apply
- Review detailed program criteria in the Community Housing Operating Support Program Guide.
- Complete the application form.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Send your completed application and all supporting documents by email or mail.
How long it takes
It should take 3 to 4 weeks for the Community Housing Operating Support Program to review your funding application and let you know if your application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application doesn’t include all the required information.
Cost
There is no cost to apply for the funding.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- sustainability plan that shows how your future business model will be financially viable (capable of covering operating and maintenance costs)
- rent roll (total income from the property)
- financial information including the statement of income and audited financial statements