Nova Scotia puts almost $22M toward energy-efficient housing

The Nova Scotia government is putting almost $22 million toward sustainable development and energy-efficiency programs.

In an announcement, the province saidthe funding is to support the net-zero construction sector.

The province says the money will fund an affordable rental construction pilot program with $6.4 million to encourage private and non-profit developers to build net-zero affordable housing.

The investment includes $13.5 million to top up an existing program that funds energy-efficiency improvements, as long as the housing provider commits to long-term affordable rent.

Nova Scotia is also putting $600,000 toward energy-efficiency evaluations at no charge for new homes built outside the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Housing Minister John Lohr says the money will help the province build more energy-efficient homes and help the province meet its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.