The Nova Scotia government is defending its \$1.35-million housing initiative with Happipad, a non-profit home-sharing platform, which led to 60 formal leases over nearly two years. The program cost over \$22,000 per lease, drawing criticism from opposition parties, who argue the government has not done enough to address the province’s housing crisis.
Happipad connects renters seeking affordable, month-to-month accommodations with homeowners willing to rent out rooms. While only 60 formal leases were confirmed, the Department of Growth and Development says Happipad data shows up to 400 additional informal connections may have occurred. In total, around 1,850 renters and 950 hosts registered for the platform.
Department spokesperson Chrissy Matheson defended the program, stating it provided safe and affordable housing—especially for those at risk of homelessness—and should be considered a success for the individuals helped. She added that Happipad was just one of many approaches being explored to tackle the housing shortage.
Opposition NDP Leader Claudia Chender dismissed the program as a “gimmick,” pointing to the high cost per lease. However, Matheson emphasized that the province’s broader housing plan includes a \$1.7-billion investment, which has already cleared the way for more than 50,000 new units in under two years, with more on the way.
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