A recap of the National Housing Day Summit in Halifax November 2025
NSAR hosted the National Housing Day Summit on November 24 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA). This first-time event brough 200 stakeholders together to share valuable insights and forge essential connections across the sector. Held at Halifax’s Marriott Harbourfront, the Summit was a milestone event for Atlantic Canada—uniting leaders, innovators, and community partners to address the region’s most pressing housing challenges and develop sustainable, actionable strategies. The event centred on transforming “Barriers to Blueprints” by identifying key housing obstacles and proposing concrete solutions.
Throughout the day, we heard from several key ministers, including Hon. John White, Minister of Housing, who underscored the province’s dedication to boosting housing supply, aiding builders, and removing barriers to development. He stressed the need to build stronger partnerships and taking practical steps to meet the growing housing needs of Nova Scotians. It was equally impactful to have the opportunity to speak directly with Minister White about what matters most to REALTORS®, aspiring homebuyers, and PDTT in Nova Scotia.
Kevin Lee, CEO of CHBA, followed by focusing on eliminating regulatory red tape and streamlining approval processes to support faster home construction.
Later in the day, Quito Maggi and Pedro Barata of Habitat for Humanity delivered impactful and complementary presentations that shaped the summit’s conversations.
Quito Maggi delivered an insightful presentation focused on home ownership and rental patterns across Nova Scotia. He highlighted the changing balance between owners and renters, noting the growing percentage of rental households compared to previous years. Building on that context, Pedro Barata brought forward the human side of housing instability. He emphasized the importance of expanding affordable homeownership opportunities through community partnerships.
Subsequently, Jeff MacIntyre of the Grand Valley Construction Association contributed insights on “Build Now”, noting that industry capacity can be unlocked by reducing costs and delays.
Suzanne Gravel represented NSAR and delivered a strong presentation titled “Driving Solutions”. She spoke about affordability pressures, market transparency, and the role REALTORS® play in shaping a healthier housing system. She also raised concerns about the Provincial Deed Transfer Tax (PDTT) and its impact on first-time buyers, provincial mobility, and broader market accessibility.
The concluding “Barriers to Blueprints” panel, featuring Suzanne Gravel, Pedro Barata, Vicki Elliot-Lopez, Alex Lawson, and Justin Johnston, summarized the urgent steps to drive real change in housing:
- Streamlined approval processes
- Support for non-profit housing providers
- Incentives that help builders keep projects affordable
- These clear priorities from the Summit reinforce our organization's commitment to advancing meaningful solutions. With new partnerships and shared resolve, we are better equipped to create positive change for the housing sector and the communities we serve.
For a comprehensive overview of the summit and additional insights, we invite you to review the official event coverage available here:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/first-of-its-kind-housing-conference-in-halifax-identifies-need-for-many-changes/