The province of Nova Scotia says it will spend $8 million to build modular housing projects which will provide affordable, transitional housing for health-care workers “in communities where housing options are limited.”
A release from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing said having more housing options will help with recruiting and retaining health-care workers.
“We need health-care workers, and we know some communities are having challenges recruiting and retaining them due to limited housing options,” said Housing Minister John Lohr in the release.
“The modular housing model has been successful in other jurisdictions. This investment will help support our health-care workers with transitional housing until more permanent solutions are available.”
The release said the province will partner with the Housing Trust of Nova Scotia on this project. They will work with health partners, municipalities and other stakeholders to place temporary mobile modular homes “in areas where there is an acute demand.”
“The Housing Trust of Nova Scotia will work closely with government representatives and municipalities to identify locations for the modular homes,” the release said.
“The trust will use its current processes to establish a modular partner so the units are delivered as quickly as possible.”
The release did not say how many units the province plans to build, or when they are expected to be ready. Global News has contacted the department for more information.
Michelle Thompson, the Minister of Health and Wellness, said lack of housing options is a “major hurdle” in attracting health-care workers to the region.
“These modular homes will help tackle a long-standing problem and attract healthcare professionals who want to make a life in Nova Scotia,” she said.
This announcement comes nearly two weeks after Opposition parties called on the government to guarantee housing for the health-care workers it recently recruited from a Kenyan refugee camp.
Minister Thompson announced earlier this month that following a recruitment trip to a refugee camp in Kenya, the provincial government gave 65 people conditional offers to work as continuing-care assistants in the province.
Continuing-care assistants are trained to help with daily living for those who need support in health-care and long-term care facilities, or through home care.
Minister Lohr said at the time that his department is working on a solution to house the new workers, who are set to arrive in the province this summer or fall.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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Source: Global News
