Transitional and Supportive Housing - 8 James Street Development Agreement

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Consultation has concluded

The Town has received an application for a Development Agreement from ZZAP Consulting Inc. to permit transitional and supportive housing at 8 James Street (PID 90337155).


The property is currently zoned Medium Density Residential Main Street (R-2M) and contains a three-storey residential building that was previously used as a boarding house. The interior of the building contains twenty (20) bedrooms with private washrooms, as well as common shared living and dining spaces. John Howard Society of Nova Scotia (JHSNS) intends to use the existing structure for transitional housing for up to twenty (20) residents with JHSNS providing on-site support services.


The proposed use will occur within the existing building, and there are no proposed changes to the site layout. The existing driveway and parking area will continue to be accessed from Whipple Street.


How Will This Affect Me?

The proposed Development Agreement will allow a transitional and housing facility on this property within the existing building.

The Town has received an application for a Development Agreement from ZZAP Consulting Inc. to permit transitional and supportive housing at 8 James Street (PID 90337155).


The property is currently zoned Medium Density Residential Main Street (R-2M) and contains a three-storey residential building that was previously used as a boarding house. The interior of the building contains twenty (20) bedrooms with private washrooms, as well as common shared living and dining spaces. John Howard Society of Nova Scotia (JHSNS) intends to use the existing structure for transitional housing for up to twenty (20) residents with JHSNS providing on-site support services.


The proposed use will occur within the existing building, and there are no proposed changes to the site layout. The existing driveway and parking area will continue to be accessed from Whipple Street.


How Will This Affect Me?

The proposed Development Agreement will allow a transitional and housing facility on this property within the existing building.

Consultation has concluded

Have a question or comments? Here's your opportunity!

If you wish to ask questions or send comments about this application, please submit them here and we will respond as soon as possible.

  • Share What community considerations were part of this recommendation from the planning committee? Which criminals, drugs, violent, high risk to re-offend, are these only non-violent criminals that would use this housing? How does this affect the property values in that block, our town? Hotel next door, any foreseen impact on that business? So many more questions….I would be interested in seeing the pros and cons, the due diligence in making this recommendation. on Facebook Share What community considerations were part of this recommendation from the planning committee? Which criminals, drugs, violent, high risk to re-offend, are these only non-violent criminals that would use this housing? How does this affect the property values in that block, our town? Hotel next door, any foreseen impact on that business? So many more questions….I would be interested in seeing the pros and cons, the due diligence in making this recommendation. on Twitter Share What community considerations were part of this recommendation from the planning committee? Which criminals, drugs, violent, high risk to re-offend, are these only non-violent criminals that would use this housing? How does this affect the property values in that block, our town? Hotel next door, any foreseen impact on that business? So many more questions….I would be interested in seeing the pros and cons, the due diligence in making this recommendation. on Linkedin Email What community considerations were part of this recommendation from the planning committee? Which criminals, drugs, violent, high risk to re-offend, are these only non-violent criminals that would use this housing? How does this affect the property values in that block, our town? Hotel next door, any foreseen impact on that business? So many more questions….I would be interested in seeing the pros and cons, the due diligence in making this recommendation. link

    What community considerations were part of this recommendation from the planning committee? Which criminals, drugs, violent, high risk to re-offend, are these only non-violent criminals that would use this housing? How does this affect the property values in that block, our town? Hotel next door, any foreseen impact on that business? So many more questions….I would be interested in seeing the pros and cons, the due diligence in making this recommendation.

    Concerned neighbor asked over 1 year ago

    The Town of Yarmouth recently adopted amendments to their Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to permit transitional and supportive housing, such as Juniper House, in all areas designated as Residential by Development Agreement. As the property in question is designated Residential, a Development Agreement application has been received.  No studies have been conducted or requested by the Advisory Committee at this time.  Residents are encouraged to attend the July 4th PAC Meeting at Town Hall where a presentation will be given by representatives of the John Howard Society to provide additional information and answers to questions from the community.

  • Share Who will be using this housing? Would this be used to help our homeless? Or is this to be used only for immigrants? What do you mean by transitional? Who may live there, whether long term or short term? on Facebook Share Who will be using this housing? Would this be used to help our homeless? Or is this to be used only for immigrants? What do you mean by transitional? Who may live there, whether long term or short term? on Twitter Share Who will be using this housing? Would this be used to help our homeless? Or is this to be used only for immigrants? What do you mean by transitional? Who may live there, whether long term or short term? on Linkedin Email Who will be using this housing? Would this be used to help our homeless? Or is this to be used only for immigrants? What do you mean by transitional? Who may live there, whether long term or short term? link

    Who will be using this housing? Would this be used to help our homeless? Or is this to be used only for immigrants? What do you mean by transitional? Who may live there, whether long term or short term?

    Rosanne Ogden asked over 1 year ago

    The applicant, John Howard Society, who is a non-profit organization that provides rehabilitative and reintegrative services has indicated as part of their application submission that the proposed use for the existing building at 8 James Street will be to house men who are ready to transition towards independent living but who still require support. The existing building is proposed to establish a Half-way House that will house approximately twenty (20) residents where staff will be available on-site 24/7. 

    The definition for Transitional and Supportive Housing as indicated in the Land Use By-law is as follows: means subsidized temporary or long-term housing with on-site services, communal and/or self-contained units. The definition adopted by Council was to address development interests of Juniper House, a transitional and supportive housing option for women and children who are experiencing abuse.  Residents are encouraged to attend the July 4th PAC Meeting at Town Hall where a presentation will be given by representatives of the John Howard Society to provide additional information and answers to questions from the community. 

  • Share How can you say this will relieve housing shortages when the purpose is not to take LOCAL people and offer them housing, but rather to bring criminals into a largely residential area of town. on Facebook Share How can you say this will relieve housing shortages when the purpose is not to take LOCAL people and offer them housing, but rather to bring criminals into a largely residential area of town. on Twitter Share How can you say this will relieve housing shortages when the purpose is not to take LOCAL people and offer them housing, but rather to bring criminals into a largely residential area of town. on Linkedin Email How can you say this will relieve housing shortages when the purpose is not to take LOCAL people and offer them housing, but rather to bring criminals into a largely residential area of town. link

    How can you say this will relieve housing shortages when the purpose is not to take LOCAL people and offer them housing, but rather to bring criminals into a largely residential area of town.

    Babygrand asked over 1 year ago

    The recently adopted amendments to permit transitional and supportive housing in the Town’s planning policies are consistent with the Statement of Provincial Interest Regarding Housing where the goal is to provide housing opportunities to meet the needs of Nova Scotians, including, transitional and supportive housing uses. Residents are encouraged to attend the July 4th PAC Meeting at Town Hall where a presentation will be given by representatives of the John Howard Society to provide additional information and answers to questions from the community.

  • Share When was application made for this project? Has council seen this application officially or does the PAC have to review it first? on Facebook Share When was application made for this project? Has council seen this application officially or does the PAC have to review it first? on Twitter Share When was application made for this project? Has council seen this application officially or does the PAC have to review it first? on Linkedin Email When was application made for this project? Has council seen this application officially or does the PAC have to review it first? link

    When was application made for this project? Has council seen this application officially or does the PAC have to review it first?

    Dave Arthur asked over 1 year ago

    An application was made to permit Transitional and Supportive Housing through a Development Agreement Application at 8 James Street on May 12, 2023. The first step in the application process following the applicants submission and Staff review is the Public Participation Meeting held at PAC, scheduled for July 4, 2023. Following recommendation from PAC, the application will proceed to Council for First Reading where a recommendation will be put forth to schedule a Public Hearing. The Development Agreement process can be found on the Town of Yarmouth’s website (https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/planning.html).

  • Share If the purpose is to provide transitional housing and community support, how does the town plan to accommodate this when there is an affordable housing crisis and long wait times for town and municipal residents to get support services they need? A report published by the JHS acknowledges “transitional housing is at a standstill”. on Facebook Share If the purpose is to provide transitional housing and community support, how does the town plan to accommodate this when there is an affordable housing crisis and long wait times for town and municipal residents to get support services they need? A report published by the JHS acknowledges “transitional housing is at a standstill”. on Twitter Share If the purpose is to provide transitional housing and community support, how does the town plan to accommodate this when there is an affordable housing crisis and long wait times for town and municipal residents to get support services they need? A report published by the JHS acknowledges “transitional housing is at a standstill”. on Linkedin Email If the purpose is to provide transitional housing and community support, how does the town plan to accommodate this when there is an affordable housing crisis and long wait times for town and municipal residents to get support services they need? A report published by the JHS acknowledges “transitional housing is at a standstill”. link

    If the purpose is to provide transitional housing and community support, how does the town plan to accommodate this when there is an affordable housing crisis and long wait times for town and municipal residents to get support services they need? A report published by the JHS acknowledges “transitional housing is at a standstill”.

    Donna F. Hurlburt asked over 1 year ago

    If the proposed application by JHS is approved by Council, it could provide housing for up to 20 residents in a transitional housing facility which aligns with recently adopted amendments to the Town’s Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to provide for a broad range of housing types including emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing, social housing, market rental housing and home ownership. In addition, the Town is partnering with affordable housing providers to increase the availability of affordable housing units in the community through projects such as the Shaw Avenue Housing Development which will construct a 24-unit housing complex on vacant town owned land (https://getinvolvedyarmouth.ca/development-agreement-lub-amendments-and-rezoning-shaw-ave).