NS Housing Needs Assessment

Context
The Province of Nova Scotia set out to better understand the housing realities of residents across all 49 municipalities. With growing concerns around affordability, availability, safety, and suitability, the province commissioned a comprehensive housing needs assessment to capture the lived experiences and priorities of communities. To be effective, the process needed to reach a wide cross-section of Nova Scotians and ensure that diverse voices were heard and reflected in the findings.

Our Role
Colab partnered with Turner Drake and UPLAND to design and lead a province-wide engagement process. Over seven months, we facilitated 99 online engagement sessions and supported the creation of public surveys that reached more than 20,000 residents. Our approach was collaborative and trauma-informed, ensuring participants—from residents and municipalities to healthcare workers, post-secondary communities, non-profits, and the private sector—could share their perspectives in an inclusive and respectful space.

Outcome
The engagement surfaced critical themes, stories, and structural insights that continue to shape Nova Scotia’s housing strategy and guide municipal planning. By centering lived experience alongside sector expertise, the process provided the province with a robust and nuanced understanding of housing needs. The result is a foundation of evidence and community voice that strengthens decision-making and supports more responsive, equitable housing solutions across the province.