Former School and Heritage Building Reopen as 13 Affordable Co-op Homes in Nova Scotia
Two affordable co-operative housing developments in Digby and Shelburne counties were officially celebrated on Sept. 24, converting a former school and a heritage building into 13 new homes with over $5.2 million in combined investment.
Two affordable co-operative housing developments in Shelburne and Digby counties were officially celebrated on Sept. 24, marking the completion of projects that transformed local landmarks into long-term housing. Operated by Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes Ltd., the developments converted a former school in Digby County and a heritage building in Shelburne County into 13 new affordable co-operative homes.
The Barton School Neighbourhood in Digby County consists of four two-bedroom units, three one-bedroom units, and one barrier-free one-bedroom unit, along with a shared common room. Redevelopment of the former Barton School began in 2020 after the municipality donated the property, with the first residents moving in during 2025. In Shelburne County, Heritage Hall was converted into five housing units, including two two-bedroom units, two one-bedroom units, and one barrier-free one-bedroom unit.
Both developments include energy-efficiency features such as heat pumps, heat recovery ventilators, and building envelope upgrades. Members at both locations pay about 79 per cent of median market rent, with monthly charges set at $652 for one-bedroom homes and $749 for two-bedroom homes. The units are reserved for applicants meeting annual income limits of $62,500 for a one-bedroom unit and $73,000 for a two-bedroom unit.
The projects represent a combined investment of more than $5.2 million, supported by federal, provincial, and municipal governments alongside community partners. Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes is a non-profit housing co-operative that has expanded since its formation in 2019 to operate 181 homes across 11 neighbourhoods in Nova Scotia.
These openings align with broader national efforts to expand co-operative housing. The federal Co-operative Housing Development Program (CHDP) has committed $1.21 billion of its total $1.5 billion allocation over the past two years to support more than 2,700 new co-op housing units across Canada.