The Town is no longer able to offer additional compost collection or drop-off services. Click the link for full details.
Housing Accelerator Fund
Wolfville needs more housing. As one of the fastest growing communities in the province, existing and prospective residents need appropriate housing options that will meet their needs.
A recent Housing Needs Assessment identified the need for an additional 830 dwelling units by the end of 2027 but over the past five years, only an average of 25 new dwelling units a year have been constructed.
The Town's planning documents have long pointed to the need for a greater mix of housing types (like the missing middle), greater density, and a more sustainable use of existing infrastructure and services like water, wastewater, public transit, snow clearing, sidewalk maintenance, active transportation and more. These goals are also aligned with the Statements of Provincial Interest, which recognize the importance of our land and water resources.
Meeting our identified needs requires systemic and transformational change and now, the Town of Wolfville has received $1.8 million from the Federal Government to respond to the growing housing crisis.
Why encourage more housing in Wolfville?
Wolfville is home to Acadia University, which means we welcome thousands of students each year into our community. Students are facing a shortage of appropriate housing units both on and off campus. Through the Housing Accelerator program, a Student Housing Strategy will be created to help us to better understand the needs of students and where student housing can be built.
In Wolfville, young families need appropriate housing options because many family homes have been converted to by the room rentals (single room occupancy) over the years. This has reduced the number of starter home options for young families so more missing middle housing is needed to provide cost effective and more appropriate housing types for young families.
When we increase missing middle housing in Wolfville we will also support older adults who wish to downsize and remain in the community they love. There are limited options available for those currently looking to downsize and remain in Wolfville.
Affordable Housing in Wolfville
Wolfville has a shortage of affordable housing units. Affordable housing developments will be encouraged and supported through waiving of fees, an affordable housing grant program, a land bank, and an affordable housing working group to support the creation of an affordable housing strategy. We will also explore reducing the parking requirements in strategically chosen sites to encourage affordable housing development.
