Province partners with community housing sector to purchase 116 units

The provincial government has partnered with three non-profit and co-operative housing organizations to increase affordable housing options for Islanders, acquiring 116 units since the partnership launched last year.

Through the Community Housing Expansion Pilot, the province is providing annual funding for up to three years to Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, and Kings Square Non-Profit Housing Corporation. 

The goal is to strengthen the capacity of these organizations and increase their affordable housing portfolios by supporting them to purchase existing housing and plan construction for new units. 

The three organizations have been working as a group to enhance operations, increase efficiency, and expand their impact. Supported by the national organization Community Housing Transformation Centre, the cohort model is a country-leading initiative that has created a culture of collaboration and shared expertise. 

Concrete outcomes include an assessment of each organization’s capacity, a corresponding capacity plan, and a roadmap for future growth, with implementation to start this year.

The three non-profit organizations and housing co-operatives were selected through a fair and competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) and subsequent invited Request for Proposals (RFP) process. 

In addition to capacity funding, partners have access to pre-development funding to cover up to 100 per cent of the costs of feasibility studies, business plans, engineering plans, architectural drawings, and surveyor reports as well as capital grant funding to acquire or build affordable housing units. 

In the first year of the program, 116 housing units have been purchased from the private rental market so they will always stay affordable. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation notes that housing is considered affordable if it costs 30 per cent or less of an annual income. 

Quotes: 

““By partnering with the community housing sector, we are addressing the critical need for housing solutions for Islanders caught in the 'missing middle'—those who earn too much for social housing but struggle with rising rental costs. These collaborations allow us to create sustainable, attainable housing options that bridge the gap, ensuring more Islanders can find a place to call home. ”

— - Hon. Rob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward Island

"We’re working to expand affordable housing by partnering with co-operative and non-profit providers to meet the needs of Island residents. This approach helps maintain affordability over time and offers reliable housing for a wide range of Islanders. Through the provincial housing strategy, we will continue to focus on initiatives that increase housing options right across the continuum.”

- Hon. Steven Myers, Minister of Housing, Land and Communities

“We would like to thank the Province of PEI for providing this funding through the Community Housing Expansion Pilot. As a community-based non-profit organization, this funding is crucial to enable us to expand our housing continuum while also maintaining our existing projects. We look forward to our continued partnership with the province, along with other non-profits and co-operative housing organizations to assist Islanders in securing safe and affordable housing.”

- Shelley Muzika, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division

“The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada is thrilled to be working with the Government of Prince Edward Island to advance co-operative housing solutions for Islanders. Co-operative housing is a well-documented success story, with over 50 years of providing good-quality, affordable housing owned and managed by the community members who live there. We look forward to growing the co-operative housing movement in Prince Edward Island through this new partnership.”

- Karen Brodeur, Director of Development, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

"Kings Square Non-Profit Housing Corporation is pleased to be working with PEI’s government on this important initiative. The Community Housing Expansion partnership will expand access to more safe, quality and affordable housing for Islanders.”

- J.W. Bill Campbell, Administrator, Kings Square Non-Profit Housing Corporation. 

"The Government of Prince Edward Island is showing bold leadership by uniting these community housing sector partners. This initiative reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to drive systemic change. By aligning each organization around customized growth strategies and investing in long-term capacity, the province is building more than housing, it's cultivating the foundations of a resilient, inclusive future for all Islanders. The Centre is proud to support this groundbreaking work.”

-Lisa Ker, Executive Director, Community Housing Transformation Centre

Media contact:

April Gallant
Senior Communications Officer
Housing, Land and Communities 
Government of Prince Edward Island
902-314-2753
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca

Additional Resources: 

• Building Together – Prince Edward Island Housing Strategy 2024-2026
• Community Housing Transformation Centre

Backgrounder: 

Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – PEI Division has over 100 volunteers and 90+ support staff providing programs, education and information, research, advocacy and social policy development to achieve the goal of mental health for all Islanders. CMHA has offices, programming space and housing units in Charlottetown, Summerside, Alberton, and Montague.
• The Province of Prince Edward Island, through the Community Housing Expansion Program, is providing funding for the evaluation of two properties, with forgivable loans available to finance acquisitions once due diligence is complete. 

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

• The mission of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) is to inspire, represent and serve members in a united co-operative housing movement. CHF Canada’s members and associates include more than 900 housing co-ops across Canada and organizations closely linked with them.
• The Province of Prince Edward Island, through the Community Housing Expansion Program, is providing a forgivable loan of $4,196,861 over 25 years to support the acquisition of 56 housing units in Summerside. Over the next 12-18 months, Island Unity Land Co-operative Limited will work with tenants to explore the opportunity of forming a housing co-operative.

Kings Square Non-profit Housing Corporation

• Kings Square Affordable Housing Corporation is a non-profit organization which provides quality and affordable housing to individuals and families living in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Kings Square Affordable Housing Co-operative operates 220 housing units across eight properties in Prince Edward Island.
• The Province of Prince Edward Island, through the Community Housing Expansion Program, is providing a forgivable loan of $3,325,000 over 25 years to support the acquisition of 60 housing units in Charlottetown.

Stay Connected: 

Follow the Government of Prince Edward Island on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.