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CBRM Housing Strategy

About the project  

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has completed its Housing Strategy adopted by Council July 2025. This comprehensive initiative identified existing housing challenges, explored opportunities and solutions, and recommended actionable steps to address housing needs across CBRM communities.

Project Outcomes

  • Recommendations were developed for a new comprehensive residential development incentive program.
  • Municipality-owned surplus lands suitable for residential development were analyzed.
  • A full analysis of residential development incentives was completed, including land development frameworks, policy and regulatory reviews, and financial feasibility assessments.
  • The final deliverables include a detailed road map, plus a monitoring and evaluation framework to support continued progress on housing initiatives.

Final Reports

What We Heard- Phase 1 Report  

CBRM's Housing Story- Phase 1 Report

Residential Development Incentives- Phase 2 Report

What We Heard -  Phase 3 Report

Residential Development Incentives and Land Banking Framework -  Phase 3 Report

What We Heard -  Phase 4 Report

CBRM Housing Strategy -  Final Report

Next Steps

CBRM staff are executing the motion set forth to evaluate the recommended actions and present options for Council’s consideration at a future session of Council.

Fast Tracked Housing Designs

The fast-tracked housing design initiative is a new program by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to make home construction faster, easier and more affordable. This initiative offers fast-tracked housing designs that meet local planning regulations, building code requirements, and energy efficiency standards.

Browse our  design book  to help guide you through design choices.

Once you've made your selection, a copy of the construction documents can be requested by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please include in the subject line: the number of units, whether you are seeking code-compliant or net-zero-ready designs, and whether you are looking for accessible options.
Example: Construction documents request for a large one unit, accessible, net-zero-ready.

We do not require a copy of these documents for the permit application. Simply indicate in your description of work which design you intend to use and submit all other relevant information.

CBRM Affordable Housing Grant

More details about the affordable housing grant can be found here including summaries, policies and application forms.

 

Contact

For questions regarding the completed strategy or future initiatives:

  • Travis Radtke, Housing Coordinator, CBRM, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.