NS ACORN members from across Halifax, Canada came for a rally at Mic Mac Mall on June 24 to demand affordable housing be included in the M District Future Growth Node redevelopment planned for the area surrounding the mall and is expected to construct several high-rises with over 2000 new residential units and commercial spaces.

NS ACORN members were set-up at the mall grounds with signs and banners, while filling the air with chants and songs demanding affordability, as mall security watched from the parking lot. Many drivers passing by honked their horns in support, and pedestrians came by to join in the rally.

The plans for the M District redevelopment were submitted by WM Fares Architects on behalf of Rank Inc in December 2022. Rank Inc is owned by Joe Ramia, who was responsible for the expensive and controversial Nova Centre development in Downtown Halifax. With a worsening housing crisis in the city, NS ACORN is demanding that affordable housing be included in all new residentialdevelopments in the HRM. The City of Halifax needs to follow through on recent recommendations on Inclusionary Zoning without delay!

NS ACORN will be continuing its calls for affordable housing in the upcoming city-wide Housing Forum on July 13.