Town of Antigonish
The Federal Housing Accelerator Fund has been awarded to The Town of Antigonish in the amount of $1,316,000. These funds will be received in 4 equal payments, when we complete our actions that we set out for the year. Our initial fund has been received, and we succeeded in receiving the full amount on the second installment.
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1. High Density Zones
The Town of Antigonish will expand residential zoning regulations in identified areas to include high-density zoning or high-density housing developments by passing an amendment to the existing Municipal Planning Strategy. Increasing high-density residential zones will promote multi-unit dwellings to increase housing availability and provide more efficient land use. In turn, this strategy will provide lower service costs, support lower-income residents, contribute to the building of complete communities, and reduce the impact of sprawl.
The inclusion of high-density residential zones will expedite permitting as rezoning or special development agreements will not be required. The initiative will require a review of the municipal planning strategy, identification of appropriate areas for implementation of a high-density residential zone, drafting and amendments to the municipal planning strategy and associated bylaws and policies.
2026 February 12 – Province of Nova Scotia approves changes to Munipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to increase density on arterial roads, improve and clarify requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units and improve process effeciency for residential building.
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2. Modernization of the Permitting Process
With the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC), the intention is to replace the existing permitting process with an online portal, which the EDPC will maintain. Ultimately, this new process will reduce redundancies, provide efficiencies, and streamline the process for both developers and public departments. The initiative will support housing growth by minimizing delays in processing permits and signaling modernization of our community.
Visit the Planning & Permits page for Portal Access!
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3. Source Water Protection
Currently, the Town depends on a single source for drinking water, the James River Dam. While this supply will be adequate in the short term, the Town sometimes has to ration water during periods of high heat, which climate change is expected to intensify. We must find an additional water source to augment the current water supply or future housing developments will not be feasible.
Over the course of this initiative, we will conduct surveys of potential water sources, conduct water quality testing, and integrate the most appropriate water source into our existing water infrastructure. This project will promote additional housing developments by ensuring the Town has enough supply to meet increasing demand in the coming years. We will complete this initiative in partnership with the Municipality of the County of Antigonish.
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4. Town Services Grant Program
The Town will design, promote, and initiate a new grant program to promote increased housing density and the creation of additional affordable housing units. The grant program would have two streams: one for high-density housing and one for affordable housing. Applicants in each stream that meet the qualifications may receive a reimbursement grant to fund service connection to their development.
The grant program will be designed to support affordable and diverse housing within the community and to promote stability in housing growth for the region. By providing additional programming to financially incentivize new units, we will directly contribute to growth in the housing supply, which can provide new permanent units for years to come.
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5. Community Transit
In partnership with Antigonish Community Transit Society (ACTS) and the County of Antigonish, the Town will hire a consultant to review and evaluate current public transit offerings to determine the most effective transit service strategy to meet the needs of the region. The consultant will also produce recommendations for strategies the local government can enact to improve public transit services in the coming years. Following the review and evaluation, the Town will make appropriate changes to the current system to support service growth and ensure equitable access to public transportation. These improvements to community transit will make the Town more attractive to developers by providing new residents with reliable options to commute to work, school, social services, recreation, and other amenities.
2023 June – Fixed Bus Route Report by Common Good Solutions
2025 February – Recommendations Report: Fixed route transit service expansion pilot study by Happy Cities
2025 Antigonish Community Transit Society (ACTS) presentation to Councils Town of Antigonish & County of Antigonish
2026 September – Upgrades to the ACTS bus Route (a post stakeholder and community consultation report) by Happy Cities
Antigonish County
The Federal Housing Accelerator Fund has been awarded to The Municipality of the County of Antigonish in the amount of $1,919,753. These funds will be received in 4 equal payments, when we complete our actions that we set out for the year. Our initial fund has been received, and we succeeded in receiving the full amount on the second installment.
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1. Asset Management Planning
The objective of this initiative will be to complete a detailed Asset Management Plan, which will provide a full inventory of all municipal assets and their conditions. The Plan will assist the County in developing a strategic maintenance and replacement system for these assets. The Plan will also provide up-to-date financial data to help the County plan for the costs of upgrades and maintenance. By providing a comprehensive overview of both infrastructure shortfalls and areas with additional capacity, the Asset Management Plan will support housing growth by revealing opportunities for strategic asset development and by highlighting regions that can support additional housing development.
The 2026-2036 Asset Management program was approved by Council on January 28, 2026.
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2. Modernization of the Permitting Process
With the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC), the intention is to replace the existing permitting process with an online portal, which the EDPC will maintain. Ultimately, this new process will reduce redundancies, provide efficiencies, and streamline the process for both developers and public departments. The initiative will support housing growth by minimizing delays in processing permits and signaling modernization of our community.
Visit the Planning & Permits page for Portal Access!
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Completed
3. Source Water Planning & Protection
The objective of this initiative will be to integrate additional water sources into existing infrastructure to supplement the water supply of the James River Dam. This is a high-priority project that is required to remove barriers to future increases in housing supply in the County. To complete this project, County will work directly with the Town of Antigonish.
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4. Active Transportation Connector
The Mount Cameron subdivision is experiencing rapid growth in housing supply, which the County has supported by upgrading infrastructure and providing increased access to services for new developments. However, transportation remains a barrier to additional growth in this region due to few options for alternative transportation. Specifically, there are no sidewalks or trail systems to support community needs, which limits interest from new residents who place a priority on recreation and active transportation. The County is proposing a connection that would provide a designated trail system suitable for alternative forms of transportation, including walking and bicycling, with connections to local services and amenities and the regional Active Transportation network.
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5. Residential Improvements Bylaw
This initiative provides flexibility to developers completing property improvements subject to fees, such as those covered by our existing Local Improvement Bylaw. Under current regulations, developers must provide payment for certain property improvements. These charges support municipal expenses such as increased servicing for new developments. Under this initiative, alternative payment options are being explored. This alternative payment approach aims to remove barriers to construction by freeing up funds for future housing investments.
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6. Accessory Dwellings
County regulations currently permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in some, but not all areas of the County, which limits opportunities to add additional housing on existing lots. ADUs are sometimes referred to as garage suites, backyard suites and garden suites. The initiative will involve the completion of a review of local planning documents, which will determine areas that could benefit from regulatory changes to permit accessory dwelling units. After completion of the review, we will make appropriate amendments to planning documents to permit these units in strategic residential zones. This initiative will increase housing density in these targeted areas, increasing the overall housing inventory without requiring the development of existing green space.
2026 March 26 – Province of Nova Scotia approves changes to Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws permitting Accessory Dwelling Units in residential zones of all planning areas.
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7. Community Transit
In partnership with Antigonish Community Transit Society (ACTS) and the Town of Antigonish, the County will hire a consultant to review and evaluate current public transit offerings to determine the most effective transit service strategy to meet the needs of the region. The consultant will also produce recommendations for strategies the local government can enact to improve public transit services in the coming years. Following the review and evaluation, the County will make appropriate changes to the current system to support service growth and ensure equitable access to public transportation. These improvements to community transit will make the County more attractive to developers by providing new residents with reliable options to commute to work, school, social services, recreation, and other amenities.
2023 June – Fixed Bus Route Report by Common Good Solutions
2025 February – Recommendations Report: Fixed route transit service expansion pilot study by Happy Cities
2025 Antigonish Community Transit Society (ACTS) presentation to Councils Town of Antigonish & County of Antigonish
2026 September – Upgrades to the ACTS bus Route (a post stakeholder and community consultation report) by Happy Cities
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Completed
8. Non-Profit Affordable Housing Grant Program
This initiative will be the creation of a grant program for non-profit organizations to create affordable housing in the County.
The Fall 2026 intake of the Non-Profit Affordable Housing Grant Program is now open.
This program supports non-profit organizations working to increase access to safe, affordable housing in our communities.
2026 Fall Non Profit Affordable Housing Grant Application Web
Deadline is October 30, 2026