Apply for a rent supplement: Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit
The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit helps renters with the cost of their rent if they pay more than 40% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on the average market rent in their area (not the rent that they pay). You can apply any time.
Use the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit (CNSTHB) Application - Renters to apply for help with the cost of your rent.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit provides renters with a monthly supplement to help pay their rent. The supplement is based on your household size and income, as well as your actual rent paid (up to a maximum of the average market rent in your area).
As long as you’re eligible, you continue getting the rent supplement. You need to complete an annual renewal application to confirm that you’re still eligible each year.
Support from a housing support worker
If you get support from a housing support worker, they help you submit your application. The program sends your housing support worker a letter to let you know if your application is approved.
Who the supplement goes to
You get the monthly rent supplement deposited directly in your bank account unless you ask for the supplement to go directly to your landlord, trustee or power of attorney. If you get the supplement directly, your landlord doesn’t know you’re getting the rent supplement.
Public housing waitlist
You can stay on the public housing waitlist if you get the rent supplement. But when you’re offered a public housing unit, you need to decide if you want to keep the rent supplement or live in the public housing unit. You can’t do both.
Rent supplement calculation
The amount you get each month for the rent supplement is calculated based on:
- how many adults and dependents are in your household
- total household income and type of income
- your actual rent paid (up to a maximum of the average market rent for the location of your rental unit)
If your household income changes, your rent supplement won’t change until you renew the supplement next year.
Rent supplement payments
If your rent supplement payment is direct deposited, you receive your payment on the rent supplement payment dates. If you receive the rent 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 |
Changes to personal information
You need to notify the program within 30 days if there are any changes to your personal information (like change of address or change to your household members). The amount you get for your supplement might change if you move to an area with a different average market rent or if you have more members or fewer members in your household.
Eviction
If you’re evicted, you need to notify the program right away. The program gives you 60 days to find a new rental unit. During this time, the program pauses your supplement. If you find a unit within 60 days, the supplement resumes. If you don’t find a unit, your supplement stops. You can apply for the supplement again once you’re in a new rental unit.
Stop getting the rent supplement
Contact the program if you don’t want to receive the supplement anymore. The program can cancel your rent supplement if:
- you move out of the province or are no longer a resident of Nova Scotia
- you're no longer living in an eligible rental unit
- you move into public housing or a long-term care facility
- your income increases or the members of your household changes making you no longer eligible during the annual renewal process
- you have provided misleading information to the government
- you have committed or tried to commit fraud against the government
Eligibility
You can apply for the rent supplement if you:
- are a resident of Nova Scotia, Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant
- 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); the department determines the average market rent in your area during the application process
- have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income below the current household income limits for average market rent in your area
- don't owe money to the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing or the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency (members of your household also can't owe money to the department or housing agency)
- are renting a self-contained housing unit or a room in a rooming house
You may also be eligible for the rent supplement if you study full-time in a recognized post-secondary institution and have dependents, a physical disability or need an accessible rental unit.
How to apply
- Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Renter 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:
- review the average market rent and household income limits in the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit Renter Guide
- know your total pre-tax (gross) household income
- have the Social Insurance Number for everyone in your household
- name and phone number of your landlord
- 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 lease
- have proof of enrollment for children 19 to 24 who attend school, university, community college or vocational institution full-time
- have a witness available to sign the application form
- complete the Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Form (PDF) to receive your supplement electronically (or have a void cheque)