1 in 4 Nova Scotians find it hard to afford healthy food. If you need help, you are not alone.
You can get free or low-cost food in many communities across Nova Scotia. Some places offer
- food banks
- meal programs
- mobile markets
- community fridges and pantries — take food if you need it, or leave food if you have extra
To find food support near you, call 211 or visit www.ns.211.ca and choose “Food Support.”
Food
Resources for healthy eating
Here are some free ways to learn about healthy, affordable food in your community.
Check out cookbooks and free cooking programs at your local library. Libraries also have free snacks, tea, and coffee.
Get involved with a community garden in your area.
- HRM Community Garden list
- Acadia Farm - Town of Wolfville Community Garden
- Bridgewater Community Gardens
- King Street Community Garden (Truro)
Get free, easy recipes from Canada’s Food Guide recipe collections.
Menu planning can help you make the most of ingredients and avoid food waste.
Budget Bytes - Delicious recipes designed for small budgets.
Food banks, food vouchers, markets, and community fridges
When you go to a food bank, they may ask you for:
- ID for yourself and anyone who lives with you
- a piece of mail with your name and address
If you do not have ID or an address, call Feed Nova Scotia at (902) 457-1900.
Many food banks offer kosher, halal, and vegan options. Let the food bank know if you have allergies or there are things you can’t eat.
The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre offers Mijipjewey Kepmite’timu’k - A Food Security Program for urban Indigenous people.
Indigenous people in the Millbrook/Sheet Harbour/Cole Harbour/Beaver Dam area can access Wekope'kwitk Mijipjeweyuo’kuom Society - Millbrook Food Bank.
Find a food bank or meal program near you.
If you call 211, the operator will look for a food bank in your area. If there isn’t one near you, Feed Nova Scotia will send a food box to your home.
There is no limit to how many times you can request the service.
The Nourishing Communities Food Coupon Program gives people free coupons called “market bucks”. You can get coupons at community organizations and use them to buy food at farmers markets. Ask at your local community centre, family resource centre, or community organization.
Community markets and mobile markets bring fresh, healthy food to areas where it may be hard to find. Prices are often lower than in stores and include taxes. Find a mobile market in your community (HRM) or a farmers market in your area (all of NS).
Community fridges and pantries are open 24-7. You can take as much as you need, or leave items if you have extra. Community pantries may also have pads or tampons. Find a community fridge or pantry near you.
Free food at public schools
All public schools in Nova Scotia offer a free breakfast program. These are usually quick, healthy foods like:
- cheese
- yogurt
- cereal
- granola bars
If your child does not know where to go for breakfast, they can ask a teacher, staff member, or Schools Plus worker.
Many schools also give out snacks during the day.
The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program provides lunch to public school students every school day. This program lets you pay part of the cost, the full cost, or nothing at all. No one will ask questions or judge you for what you pay.
Food for college and university students
Many colleges and universities have food banks for students. If your school is not listed here, ask at the student union building or administration office.
- Acadia University Food Security Project
- Cape Breton University Student Food Bank
- Dalhousie Student Union Food Bank
- Dalhousie and King’s College Food Security Programs
- Mount St. Vincent University Student Food Bank
- NSCAD Student Union Food Bank
- St. Mary’s University Community Food Room
- St.F.X. University Kevin’s Corner Food Resource Centre
Your school may also have ways for you to access funding, community meals, and community gardens.
Food support for seniors
Meals on Wheels brings healthy, low cost, prepared meals to people who cannot cook for themselves. Meals cost between $3.50 and $8.00.
Halifax Meals on Wheels
(902) 429-4299
[email protected]
Meals on Wheels Sackville-Bedford
Call 902-869-6103 and leave a message
New Dawn Meals on Wheels (Cape Breton)
Use the online registration form or call 902-562-1245
Meals on Wheels Yarmouth
Call Yarmouth Regional Hospital – 742-3542 ext. 1774
The Seniors Fresh Food Box Program helps people who live in seniors’ residences in HRM order fresh fruits and vegetables. Residents order produce, create food bundles, and deliver bundles in their building.
Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Many organizations offer free meals or low-cost meals for seniors. Check with:
- community centres
- seniors’ centres
- places of worship
- nonprofit groups
Help with pet food and litter
The SPCA Pet Pantry is a pet food and litter bank. They will arrange for pickup at the location closest to you. Find a location and request pet food or litter.
To use the Pet Food Pantry at Bide Awhile Animal Shelter in Dartmouth, call 902-469-9578 during business hours. Proof of low income or a valid student ID is required. You can get a two-week supply of pet food once per month.
My Grandfather’s Cat sends up to $200 worth of pet food and supplies to low-income seniors (age 65+). You must have an address where Amazon can delivery your order. Apply online.
Some food banks may also have pet food and pet supplies. Call 211 or visit www.ns.211.ca to find out what is available in your area.
Housing
You may need to leave your home if your partner is abusing you. Or you and your partner or ex may not agree about who should stay in your home after a fight or a breakup. This section tells you what you can do.
Shelters & emergency housing
If you need a safe place to stay right now, call 211 or use the 211 Resource Map. These will help you find a shelter or transition house in your area.
ShelterSafe allows you to search for shelters by location and provides information on accessibility features.
You can also call the 24-hour Helpline at 1-855-225-0220 for help finding a shelter.
If you can’t stay in a shelter, you can go to a drop-in centre. You can take free showers, do laundry, eat meals, use basic supplies, and get help finding a warm, safe place to stay.
Transition houses provide temporary housing to people who are leaving abuse. Most people stay in a transition house for about 6 weeks, but you may stay longer or for less time.
Find a transition house in mainland Nova Scotia.
Willow House is a transition house in Sydney, Cape Breton.
Here are some transition houses that help people transition from incarceration, get help for Alcohol Use Disorder, or get support if they are/were involved in the sex trade.
Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia
Short-term housing for women, girls, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals recently released from incarceration.
Shelter Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
- Housing for men and women
- Housing for people who need extra support relating to stable housing, Alcohol Use Disorder, or transition after incarceration.
Stepping Stone
Dartmouth, NS
902-448-3733
- Safe housing for individuals who are/were involved in sex trade
- Drop-in centre
- Street outreach
- Court support
Tiny homes and pallet home communities are small living spaces that have a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space. You pay a portion of your income and share laundry, showers, and computer access. You may be able to access free meals, health care, and other services.
This is a type of transitional housing. This means you must look for permanent housing while staying there. You need to be referred by a service provider or outreach team.
The Ally Centre is a referrer in Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Referrals in HRM are done by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.
Long-term housing and help with rent
The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency offers low-cost housing. You may have to wait, so apply as soon as you can and find somewhere else to stay until a place is available for you. You can apply here.
The Housing Trust of Nova Scotia offers units in their buildings for low-income or fixed-income tenants. You may also need to wait for one of these units. You can apply online.
Co-operative housing or “co-ops” are buildings or housing units owned by the people who live there. You must apply for membership and there may be a waiting list. Most co‑op members’ rent is based on their income. Some co-ops offer housing for people with special needs. Find a co-op in your area.
The Survivors of Gender-Based Violence Housing Benefit helps with rent if you are leaving your home because of violence. You can get help with rent for 1 to 2 years. To apply, you need to have support from a transition house or referral agency and spend more than 30% of your pre-tax income on rent. Read more and apply here.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit also helps with the cost of rent. You may be eligible if
- you pay more than 40% income on rent AND
- you don’t live in public housing.
Housing support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
If you don’t feel safe or comfortable in emergency housing that is open to the general public, some shelters and transition houses offer gender-inclusive and affirming spaces.
- Help for all genders and families
- Privacy cubicles and showers
Adsum for Women and Children
Housing, programs and services for women, families, youth and gender-diverse people
(902) 423-4443
Etli-Sankweimɨk (Housing Complex)
Temporary safe housing for Indigenous women, children, 2-Spirited and trans community members fleeing violence
Metro Turning Point
For men and gender-diverse people
902-420-3282
SHYFT Youth Services
902-881-3111
- Housing for youth aged 16-24 in Shelburne and Yarmouth counties
- Drop-in to use washroom, laundry, and kitchen
- Phone and internet access
- Gender-affirming supplies (binders, packers, gaffs, and more)
Youth Project Housing Support Program
For 2SLGBTQIA+ youth age 16-30
Call or text (902) 333-8708
Email [email protected]
YWCA WISH Supportive Housing Program
For women and gender-diverse people over 19
housing@ywcahalifax.com
Housing support for people with disabilities
If you need to find a place to stay in an emergency, ShelterSafe lets you search for shelters and gives information on accessibility.
Independent Living Nova Scotia can also help with emergency arrangements.
Email [email protected] or call 902-453-0004.
There are a number of wheelchair accessible transition houses in Nova Scotia.
Amherst: Autumn House
(902) 667-1344 or
(902) 667-1200 (Crisis line)
Bridgewater: Harbour House
(902) 543-3665 or
(902) 543-3999 (Crisis line)
Halifax: Bryony House
(902) 429-9002 or
(902) 422-7650 (Crisis line)
New Glasgow: Tearmann Society
Crisis line (902) 752-0132
Office (902) 752-1633
Port Hawkesbury: Leeside Transition House
Crisis line (902) 625-2444 or
Office (902) 625-1990
Truro: Third Place
Crisis line (902) 893-3232 or
Office (902) 893-4844
Long Term Housing
The Housing Trust of Nova Scotia has some accessible units. You may have to wait, so apply as soon as you can, and find somewhere else to stay until a place is available for you.
Email [email protected].
Nova Scotia has several housing programs for people with disabilities, including funding for home modifications, rent supplements, and support services to live independently. Learn more about program options.
The Disability Support Program is a program offered by the province to help with disability support, funding, and supported housing. You must
- Have a diagnosis of a disability, long term mental health illness, or physical disability
- Do an assessment with a Care Coordinator
Read more about the Disability Support Program in this guide. (Note that the Department of Community Services has changed its name to the Department of Opportunity and Social Development).
If you believe a landlord won’t rent to you because of your disability or health needs, you have rights. Learn about discrimination and your options.
Housing support and info for youth
If you are over 19, you are considered an adult in Nova Scotia. This means you don’t need anyone’s permission to live on your own. If you are under 16, you need permission from a parent or guardian to live with someone else.
Contracts involving minors usually aren’t legal. But if you are under 19, you can sign a contract for things that a person needs to survive, like food and shelter. These are called “necessities of life.” Even though that’s true, landlords are not always willing to rent to someone under 19.
Read more about your rights as a renter at Chapter 7 of this guide or listen to this podcast episode about moving out.
Shelters and safe places to stay
Phoenix Centre for Youth
1-866-620-0676
Email: [email protected]
- housing support
- Counseling
- health services
- financial help
- food, clothing, shower and laundry facilities
- computer and phone access.
Roots For Youth Transitional Housing
Pictou County, NS
902-695-2775
- Housing for youth age 16-24
- Emergency shelter
- Drop-in service
- Youth Outreach Navigator
- Community Cupboard
SHYFT Youth Services
Shelburne and Yarmouth
902-881-3111
- Housing for youth aged 16-24
- Drop-in to use washroom, laundry, and kitchen
- Phone and internet access
- Gender-affirming supplies (binders, packers, gaffs, and more)
Youth Project Housing Support Program
For 2SLGBTQIA+ youth age 16-30
Call or text (902) 333-8708
Email [email protected]
Staying in your home
If you don’t have a safe place to go, you can ask the Family Court for a court order that says you and your children can stay in the home and that your partner must leave. This is called “exclusive possession”. This can happen even if your name isn’t on the lease or mortgage.
Read more about going to court here.
If you or your partner owns your home
You can apply for a share of the value of your home. You can also apply for a share of things like furniture and appliances or vehicles.
Learn about your rights as a married person or someone in a registered domestic partnership.
Learn about your rights if you are living common law.
If you are a renter
If you want to stay in your home but you are having trouble with your landlord because of arguments, fights, or money problems relating to family violence, you can get help.
The Community Trustee Program is an eviction prevention program that can help you talk to your landlord, make a budget, and fill out paperwork. Call (902)-407-3243 to apply.
If you are having problems with rental housing because of domestic violence, call Dalhousie Legal Aid.
Mon-Fri between 9am-4:30pm
902-423-8105
Moving costs
Shelter Movers may help you with the cost of moving.They help survivors of family violence move for free.
Ask shelter staff, social workers, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, or police to refer you. Read about referrals to Shelter Movers.
Ending a lease early with a domestic violence certificate
If you need to move out of your apartment because of violence or abuse, you may be able to end your lease early.
You will need to give your landlord some forms. Here’s what to do:
- Ask the Department of Justice Victim Services for a “domestic violence certificate”.
They will give you one if:- you have an emergency protection order
OR - you have complained to police that your partner is abusing you AND you have a peace bond or “no contact” court order.
- you have an emergency protection order
- Fill out a form called the “Application by Tenant for Early Termination of Lease.” The Victim Services worker can help you.
- Serve your landlord with these papers:
- the domestic violence certificate
- a “Release from Lease Obligations” form from Victim Services
- a Notice to Quit
You can serve your landlord by doing one of these things:
- giving them the papers in person
- giving the papers to a building supervisor or rental office
- sending the papers to the landlord by registered mail.
Your landlord will see only the forms you send. They have no right to see any other information about the domestic violence certificate.
If you live in a land-lease community (a trailer park), you don’t need a domestic violence certificate. You can end your lease in the same amount of time as with a domestic violence certificate (1 month). Read more here.
Other ways to end a lease
Usually when you move out of an apartment, you tell your landlord ahead of time. You must give them a form called Form C: Tenant’s Notice to Quit before you plan to move. This is called “giving notice.” Your lease tells you how much notice you have to give.
These are the usual amounts of notice for leases.
| Type of Lease | Amount of Notice |
| Year-to-Year | 3 months before anniversary date |
| Month-to-Month | 1 month |
| Week-to-Week | 1 week |
| Fixed Term | None |
The “anniversary date” is the date that your lease says your tenancy started. It’s usually the date you moved in. It stays the same each year no matter what kind of lease you have. So if you moved in on June 1st, your anniversary date will always be June 1st, even if you have a month-to-month lease.
You can end a lease with one month’s notice if your health is bad and you can no longer use or afford your apartment. You can do this if you will be in the hospital for a long time. But you can’t do it if you will be in the hospital for a short time.
If you move out for health reasons, you must file 2 forms:
- Form G: Tenant’s Notice to Quit – Early Termination of Tenancy.
- Form H: Physician’s Certificate – Termination of Tenancy for Health Reasons. Only a doctor can fill this out.
You can fill out the forms online or drop them off at Access Nova Scotia.
If you move out without giving notice, your landlord can go after you for unpaid rent. If your landlord knows you are not living in the unit, they must try to find another tenant to rent it. If they don’t look for another tenant, you can’t be forced to pay the rent forever. Usually, Residential Tenancies will award a landlord between 1-3 months’ rent in this situation.
Sublet your place: This is when you rent your room or apartment to someone else, and you plan to return. You are responsible for any damages and for paying rent. Your landlord can’t stop you from subletting without a good reason.
Reassign your lease: This is when you don’t plan to return. You give the lease to someone else. Your landlord has the right to meet the person moving in, but they can’t say no unless they have a good reason.
Your landlord can’t stop you from reassigning the lease.
The landlord must give you back your security deposit unless you and the new tenant work out a deal where your old deposit is transferred under their name.
A landlord can charge you up to $75 if they have to pay costs for the new tenant to move in.