The Dexter government has announced a series of public meetings will be held in communities across Nova Scotia, in an effort to create the province’s first long-term affordable housing strategy.

Nova Scotia has some of the oldest public housing in Canada and the province is touting the initiative as a first-of-its-kind in Canada.

“This is real, true milestone. It is the first time any government has ventured to develop such an extensive housing strategy,” Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse told News 95.7.

Peterson-Rafuse pointed to a few concrete solutions she’d like to see come from the meetings.

“Helping people to be able to obtain their first home,” she said. “That will be truly exciting that people will have the opportunity to springboard them to a bank. These will be individuals who are at a high-risk for a bank, so they just don’t catch a break.”

The minister said the province is seeking feedback on innovative, practical housing solutions being proposed, including:

– Developing and supporting diverse, mixed communities with people from a wide range of incomes, backgrounds, housing and family types
– Promoting partnerships with community groups, local government and businesses to deliver real and lasting housing solutions
– Offering innovative options to ensure more Nova Scotians have access to affordable housing and the option to buy their home, if they choose
– Enhancing programs that fund home repairs, renovations, adaptation and energy-efficiency
– Improving the range of services available to homeless people, especially those with chronic illness, disability or mental illness

The meetings will be held in seven communities including Truro, Yarmouth, Cape Breton and Dartmouth beginning Nov. 16.

Comments can also be submitted online. http://novascotia.ca/coms/hs/