NSCC opens on-campus housing, welcomes 150 students in September

The Nova Scotia Community College has completed the first two of seven on-campus housing projects, with its new residences at the Pictou campus in Stellarton and the Akerley campus in Dartmouth already fully booked for September.

The province announced the two developments in November 2022 along with another at the Ivany campus in Dartmouth as part of its 2021 housing and homelessness strategy. The Pictou campus housing will accommodate 50 students, the Akerley project 100 students and the Ivany residence 200 students when it opens in September 2025.

With vacancy rates at 0.9 per cent in Halifax and rent prices rising across Nova Scotia, the government hopes this will free up housing for other people as students move to on-campus bedrooms. 

Premier Tim Houston, who toured the Pictou campus facilities on Monday, said the solution to the province's housing crisis is "housing across the spectrum," which includes students.

"Imagine being one of the 50 students that live in this building right here on campus and the difference it will make in their life and the ease of transition to their post-secondary career. In here, we'll see future carpenters and plumbers and future nurses and CCAs," said Houston.

Four other projects will be built in Springhill, Kentville, Bridgewater and Halifax, adding about 270 more beds and bringing the total number of housing spaces to 620. 

Amid the housing crisis, students in Nova Scotia have struggled to secure a place to stay during the academic year, forcing some to pay higher rent and split the costs with multiple roommates. Others have even faced the risk of homelessness. 

Vanessa Ferris, a second-year business administration student at the NSCC's Pictou campus, said the residences are an important addition to the college.

"As a student, I have definitely heard about some of the struggles my fellow students have had coming to the area looking for a safe place to stay," said Ferris.

"And everyone here knows the challenges students face when they start out at college and their sense of nervousness associated with beginning post-secondary studies."

A one-bedroom suite will cost $8,860 at the Akerley campus and $8,360 at the Pictou campus for the 2024-25 academic year. For comparison, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom in Nova Scotia in 2023 was $1,215, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Rooms at the Pictou campus include twin-size beds, desks, a kitchenette and shared common spaces. The cost of the suite also includes utilities, high-speed internet, parking and some cafeteria expenses.

Academic benefits of living on campus

Pat Dunn, the MLA for Pictou Centre, also toured the campus in Stellarton. He said having an on-campus residence provides students a range of benefits that "enhance their academic experience and personal development."

Dunn, a former educator and administrator for 30 years, said being able to live on campus also reduces stress and time associated with commuting, allowing students more time to focus on their studies.

The Akerley campus housing cost a total of $24.1 million while the price tag for the Pictou campus project came in at $16.1 million.