Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives

The Municipality of Chester (MOC) has received $1,986,000 in funding through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to support nine initiatives supporting the Charting a Course for Growth plan. The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) benefits our community as MOC is able to cut red tape and ensure more homes are built faster.

While these projects are not always visible, implementation of these initiatives will position MOC as an excellent partner in accelerating the pace of housing development within MOC.

Annual reports can be found here:

Click on each initiative for details on progress to-date.

Enable increased density through a comprehensive By-laws review. Revisions to MOC's Subdivision By-Law and Municipal Specifications will consider:

  • Changes and refinements of existing planning regulations including permitting four (4) units and allow up to four (4) stories on residential lots throughout the municipality where wastewater infrastructure is sufficient, and outside of architectural control areas.
  • Removal of identified barriers to development in the Municipality, such as requirements related to height, housing type, setbacks, building floor area and parking.
Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
Work is underway and anticipated to be completed in 2026. This initiative has been delayed due to a lack of responses to the initial procurement process. Consultants were hired in Fall 2025 and a report is due to Council this year. Council to receive the recommendations and consider them for adoption. 2026

To enable increased density in a key growth area on the community by promoting higher-density and “missing middle” housing. Building on recent policy work, the Village Periphery Area Strategy will engage the development community and inform municipal asset management and infrastructure planning to support growth.

  • A consultant will develop a strategy that promotes higher density on undeveloped land outside the village core.
    • Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
    Work has been completed and was included in the Charting a Course for Growth plan approved by Council in 2025. N/A Complete

    Create a plan and process for the disposal of municipally-owned land for the development of affordable housing.

    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
    "Surplus Property Disposal Policy - Affordable Housing" (#P-120) was adopted by Council on March 26, 2026. To develop the policy, all lands under Municipal Ownership were reviewed and evaluated on their potential for housing projects. The policy provides opportunities for housing developers to apply for a lease or purchase of property at less than market value. Should Council wish to pursue methods to acquire and then distribute land for affordable housing, additional policies may be considered in the future. Complete

    Implementing a new e-permitting system to streamline development, increase efficiencies and improve customer experience.

    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline
    Online permitting system was completed and is online as of May 2026. While online permitting has been officially launched, MOC will continue to improve and adjust our approach to ensure it is meeting our goal of streamlining permit applications. Additionally, upgrades and additional services may be incorporated to future technology upgrades to allow additional ways of applying online. Complete

    Promote development opportunities of various types of housing in the Municipality.

    • Consult with developers and realtors working in similar communities to gain insight into investment decisions and developer needs.
    • Determine marketing tools to attract residential development.
    • Determine what municipal improvements could be implemented to encourage more residential development.
    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline

    HAWK Marketing was hired in Fall 2025 to assist in developing marketing materials for the marketing and sales for residential development. This was completed in early 2026 and is currently being implemented.

    		 Ongoing marketing and sales Complete and ongoing

    Updating infrastructure planning to align with official community plans, growth targets, and the housing needs assessment.

    • Create a comprehensive map of existing serviceable boundaries, potential new wastewater treatment sites, and currently undeveloped land that could readily be included in existing or expanded wastewater service areas.
    • Create maps and models for watersheds and flood risk areas to further aid the planning and prioritization of climate resilient infrastructure and service delivery for housing.
    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline

    Comprehensive maps of existing and potential serviceable boundaries were completed in 2025.

    The Province of Nova Scotia is producing of maps and models for watersheds and flood risk areas and so this work was not duplicated.

    		 N/A Complete

    Enhance building inspection and building permit review capacity through human resource management activities.

    • Recruitment and training of a Junior Building Official to their graduation as Building Official Level 1, who starts approving permits.
    • Provide a medium-term option to develop a Level 2 building official from within the Municipality
    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline

    New staff have been hired and are progressing through the required training

    		N/A Complete

    Work with federal and provincial partners to determine the feasibility of developing pre-approved building plans for missing middle housing and accessory dwelling units.

    • Review the work underway at the federal and/or provincial level with the intention to supporting pre-approve plans.
    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline

    MOC has adopted four technical packages from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Housing Design Catalogue. These four packages have been pre-reviewed by our Building Inspectors, Fire Inspector, and Development Officers to save applicants time when starting the construction process.

    Details are available here.

    		 Additional, local building plans are being considered for development. Further details will be available at a future date. Complete

    Work with developers and not-for-profits to explore incentives that would encourage the creation of affordable and attainable housing throughout the municipality.

    Progress Update Next Steps Estimated Timeline

    "Surplus Property Disposal Policy - Affordable Housing" (#P-120) was adopted by Council on March 26, 2026. To develop the policy, all lands under Municipal Ownership were reviewed and evaluated on their potential for housing projects. The policy provides opportunities for housing developers to apply for a lease or purchase of property at less than market value.

    		Should Council wish to pursue methods to acquire and then distribute land for affordable housing, additional policies may be considered in the future. Complete