Housing Strategy
The District of Lunenburg Council has directed staff to develop a Housing Strategy to help address housing availability and affordability across the municipality. The proposed strategy identifies a range of potential municipal actions to support more housing options for residents—through partnerships, policy changes, and local initiatives.
We held Community Conversations in the fall of 2025 to hear from residents on these proposed actions.
Actions to support the private sector include:
- Supporting density through planning and policy
- Reducing internal barriers to development where they appear
- Advocating to other orders of government for policy changes
- Establishing a supportive secondary dwelling unit program
- Maintaining a flexible approach to partnering with new housing organizations.
Actions to support non-profit organizations include:
- Prioritizing non-profit and affordable access to municipal resources (i.e. municipal land via the land bank)
- Establish a pre-development funding program, facilitate and support non-profit activity and networking throughout the region
- Ensure clarity for proposal regulations and support
- Establish incentives for affordable housing providers by mirroring existing property tax exemption programs.
An update on this project will come in the new year.
The District of Lunenburg Council has directed staff to develop a Housing Strategy to help address housing availability and affordability across the municipality. The proposed strategy identifies a range of potential municipal actions to support more housing options for residents—through partnerships, policy changes, and local initiatives.
We held Community Conversations in the fall of 2025 to hear from residents on these proposed actions.
Actions to support the private sector include:
- Supporting density through planning and policy
- Reducing internal barriers to development where they appear
- Advocating to other orders of government for policy changes
- Establishing a supportive secondary dwelling unit program
- Maintaining a flexible approach to partnering with new housing organizations.
Actions to support non-profit organizations include:
- Prioritizing non-profit and affordable access to municipal resources (i.e. municipal land via the land bank)
- Establish a pre-development funding program, facilitate and support non-profit activity and networking throughout the region
- Ensure clarity for proposal regulations and support
- Establish incentives for affordable housing providers by mirroring existing property tax exemption programs.
An update on this project will come in the new year.
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Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant - Applications open Nov 30 2026
Share Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant - Applications open Nov 30 2026 on Facebook Share Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant - Applications open Nov 30 2026 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant - Applications open Nov 30 2026 on Linkedin Email Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant - Applications open Nov 30 2026 linkThe Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is excited to announce that it will be accepting applications for its Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant starting November 30, 2026.The Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant is intended to increase the supply of affordable housing units by funding non-market developers and community focused organizations during the pre-construction phase of projects. Organizations may receive up to 66% of total project cost, to a maximum of $50,000 per organization, per project, in the form of a grant. More details can be found in the applicant guide posted to this webpage.
For projects that align with the Municipality’s Housing Strategy but are not located within the boundaries of the municipality, the maximum eligible funding per project is $25,000. Please contact rosemary.young@modl.ca or planning@modl.ca with questions.
The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is excited to announce that it will be accepting applications for its Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant starting November 30, 2026.The Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant is intended to increase the supply of affordable housing units by funding non-market developers and community focused organizations during the pre-construction phase of projects. Organizations may receive up to 66% of total project cost, to a maximum of $50,000 per organization, per project, in the form of a grant. More details can be found in the applicant guide posted to this webpage.
For projects that align with the Municipality’s Housing Strategy but are not located within the boundaries of the municipality, the maximum eligible funding per project is $25,000. Please contact rosemary.young@modl.ca or planning@modl.ca with questions.
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Council Approves New Affordable Housing Grant Program
Share Council Approves New Affordable Housing Grant Program on Facebook Share Council Approves New Affordable Housing Grant Program on X (formerly Twitter) Share Council Approves New Affordable Housing Grant Program on Linkedin Email Council Approves New Affordable Housing Grant Program linkThe Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Council has approved a new Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant Program designed to help non-profit organizations advance affordable housing projects in the Municipality and throughout Lunenburg County. The program provides financial assistance to support the planning and technical work required before construction can begin.
The program offers grants of up to $50,000 to eligible organizations for pre-construction activities such as feasibility studies, engineering, architectural design, environmental assessments, site planning, and financial analysis. By helping organizations address these early-stage costs, the Municipality aims to remove barriers that often prevent affordable housing projects from moving forward.
“Affordable housing remains a priority for Council and our community,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “This program is designed to help community organizations take the important first steps needed to bring more affordable housing options to our region.”
Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations, charitable organizations, housing co-operatives, and community interest corporations. Projects must create a minimum of four new affordable housing units and maintain long-term affordability commitments.
While the program prioritizes projects within the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, Council approved an amendment allowing eligible projects elsewhere in Lunenburg County. Projects located outside municipal boundaries may be eligible for up to $25,000 in funding and must demonstrate support from the host municipality.
Council has allocated $100,000 in the current budget to support the program. The initiative aligns with actions identified in the Municipality’s Housing Strategy and supports Council priorities related to affordability, quality of life, social inclusion, and regional economic development.
Funding will be available on a rolling basis until annual program funds have been allocated. Applicants must meet with municipal staff prior to submitting an application and demonstrate their capacity to deliver and manage affordable housing projects.
Application information and program details are available on the Municipality’s website.
The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Council has approved a new Affordable Housing Pre-Construction Grant Program designed to help non-profit organizations advance affordable housing projects in the Municipality and throughout Lunenburg County. The program provides financial assistance to support the planning and technical work required before construction can begin.
The program offers grants of up to $50,000 to eligible organizations for pre-construction activities such as feasibility studies, engineering, architectural design, environmental assessments, site planning, and financial analysis. By helping organizations address these early-stage costs, the Municipality aims to remove barriers that often prevent affordable housing projects from moving forward.
“Affordable housing remains a priority for Council and our community,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “This program is designed to help community organizations take the important first steps needed to bring more affordable housing options to our region.”
Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations, charitable organizations, housing co-operatives, and community interest corporations. Projects must create a minimum of four new affordable housing units and maintain long-term affordability commitments.
While the program prioritizes projects within the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, Council approved an amendment allowing eligible projects elsewhere in Lunenburg County. Projects located outside municipal boundaries may be eligible for up to $25,000 in funding and must demonstrate support from the host municipality.
Council has allocated $100,000 in the current budget to support the program. The initiative aligns with actions identified in the Municipality’s Housing Strategy and supports Council priorities related to affordability, quality of life, social inclusion, and regional economic development.
Funding will be available on a rolling basis until annual program funds have been allocated. Applicants must meet with municipal staff prior to submitting an application and demonstrate their capacity to deliver and manage affordable housing projects.
Application information and program details are available on the Municipality’s website.
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RY
Email rosemary.young@modl.ca -
Deputy Director, Planning & Development Services
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
AHEmail Alan.Howell@modl.ca