Upper Hammonds Plains Housing Co-operative

Project Highlights

About the development

In 2024, the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust (UHPCLT) incorporated its flagship development: The Upper Hammonds Plains Housing Co-operative (UHPHC). In 2025, this project was successfully funded through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s Co-operative Housing Development Fund (CHDP). This marked the largest investment in Black co-operative housing ever made by the Government of Canada. UHPHC consists of 136 non-market units and is valued at $61.2 M. All common areas will be barrier-free and 21% of the units (29 homes) will be accessible. Unit breakdown of the development is as follows:

Progress to date

The UHPHC is currently under construction, with different tranches of homes being opened in phases over the next few years. The first tranche of homes is scheduled to be opened in December 2026. UHPHC will prioritize African Nova Scotians and other Black Canadians for occupancy, as well as other priority groups identified through the National Housing Strategy.

Further, UHPCLT has worked with the community and its partners, including zzap Architecture + Planning and the Harbourtown Group, to develop a comprehensive landscape plan to support community social, physical, and mental wellbeing. This plan includes native plantings, a playground, and other landscape amenities that support leisure and recreational activities while reflecting the history and culture of African Nova Scotians in Upper Hammonds Plains.  

Next steps

Our immediate next steps include:

1. Lease up: UHPCLT is undertaking the lease-up process to accept families into the co-operative’s membership and place them in appropriate units.
2. Landscaping and amenities: UHPCLT is working with its partners to execute the comprehensive landscaping plan as well as procure an African Nova Scotian artist to create a mural that is reflective of the community and its history.