The Town of Yarmouth is making surplus municipal land available to non-profit housing providers. By removing land costs, we help create long-term affordable rental housing in our community.
pdf Surplus Lands for Affordable Housing Policy(299 KB)
Available Properties
Civic Address PID Info
56 Tooker Street, Yarmouth 90211442 View Map & Details
37 Argyle Street, Yarmouth 90212820 View Map & Details
22 Chester Street, Yarmouth 90205428 View Map & Details
Who Can Apply
- Eligible: Non-profit and charitable organizations·
- Partnerships with private developers allowed, but:
- Land title must remain with the non-profit
- Affordable units must be managed by the non-profit
Proposal Requirements
Your proposal must:
- Provide rental units below CMHC average market rents
- Be permitted “as-of-right” under zoning bylaws
- Ensure permits can be issued by June 30, 2027
Proposals needing variances/subdivisions may be considered if approvals can still be completed within the deadline.
How to Apply
- Fill out the Call for Submissions Application Form
- Attach required documents:
- Construction pro-forma
- Operating pro-forma
- Financial statements (last 3 years or since incorporation)
- Partnership agreement (if applicable)
Submissions are open for 60 days.
Deadline: 11:59 pm, December 29, 2025
Late applications will not be accepted. If no proposals are received, the deadline may be extended.
Call for Submissions Application Surplus Lands
Next Steps
- Staff review applications.
- Report to Town Council – Fall 2025
- Land transfer agreements finalized
- Successful applicants sign a buy-back agreement (land must remain in affordable housing use)
Information for Residents
Why is this program is needed?
Yarmouth is facing a housing shortage. The Town can support non-profits by providing surplus land at $1, helping them build affordable units faster.
Example:
One successful example of this is on Shaw Ave in Yarmouth, where town-owned property stood vacant. In 2024 Council sold the site to the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS) for $1, allowing AHANS to build 24 mixed rental units — 14 being affordable dwelling units. There is a mix of bachelor, 1-,2-, and 3-bedroom units. Affordable units will rent for between $397 and $1,085 a month – far below the current $2000 to $2200 average monthly rent for similar-sized units. Units are designed to be net zero, making the living spaces more efficient and affordable while also more comfortable for tenants to live in. The entire project meets federal adaptability standards, and all common spaces are barrier free.
Housing details
Any new housing will adhere to the local land use bylaw regulations, which also apply to the surrounding properties. In most in low density residential zones, up to 4 units are permitted.
Who will operate the housing?
A nonprofit housing provider will manage the new units.
Will this be used for shelters?
No, the program supports permanent housing only. Emergency/shelter housing is a Provincial responsibility.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the program, or if you wish to schedule a pre-application consultation meeting, please contact us:
Email: edo@townofyarmouth.ca
Phone: 902-742-4864