Membership Eligibility Criteria
- Potential members/residents understand that Queens Neighbourhoods Co-operative Housing Ltd. was developed with a focus on seniors but embraces inclusive, multi-generational communities that embrace and foster diversity.
- All potential members/residents will understand the core values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.
- All potential members actively contribute to the operation and life of the Co-op.
- Members/residents must be able to live independently or independently with the assistance of outside support.
- All potential residents/members of a household must be either a Canadian Citizen or have Permanent Resident status.
- All potential members/tenants of the applicant’s household who are 19 years of age or older and intend to live in the Co-op can apply for membership.
- Priority will be given to potential members/residents who are current residents of the Region of Queen Municipality, and potential members/residents must be residents of Nova Scotia and presently living in the province.
- All potential members/residents must agree to the Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Pet Policy:
- Each household is allowed only one pet.
- Cats are allowed.
- Dogs 35 pounds and under are permitted.
- Dogs over 35 pounds are not permitted unless they are registered service animals. Proof of registration is required.
- All pets must be spayed or neutered.
- All pets must be up to date on vaccinations. QNCH may request a copy of an up-to- date vaccination record at any time.
- Residents must ensure their pets do not cause unreasonable disturbances to other households, such as continuous or excessive barking.
Additionally, all pets must meet Region of Queens Municipality Animal By-Law for approved household pets. Please refer to the Bylaws in your Municipality for details on licensing, prohibited animals and ownership requirements:
www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/bylaws/dog-bylaws
Residents are required to provide property management with confirmation of the pet residing in the household.
Household Size Occupancy Standards
- There will be no more than two persons per bedroom; parents do not share a bedroom with children; and dependents aged five or more of the opposite sex do not share a bedroom.
- There should be at least one person per bedroom. Couples are expected to share a bedroom unless there is a medical condition that requires an extra bedroom. When an extra bedroom is required, the Co-op will be required to maintain a copy of documentation from a physician confirming the requirement for an extra bedroom
- In recognition of a variety of co-parenting arrangements, a child who resides with their parent(s) a minimum of 40 per cent of the time will qualify as a permanent member of the household.
- Members/residents must not own any residential property that could reasonably serve as suitable, safe or accessible year-round housing. QNCH may assess exemptions to these criteria based upon the following:
Potential members/residents who are an older adult or senior (defined as 55 years or older) and currently own their own home may be eligible for an exemption to apply for membership/housing if they transfer ownership and/or sell their home prior to being approved for occupancy, or they have entered into an agreement of purchase and sale to sell their home within 6 months of occupancy.
Additionally, potential member/residents who own their own home, who are seeking an exemption on eligibility for membership/residency based on the home ownership criteria must also be assessed and meet one or both of the following criteria:
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- The potential member/resident must demonstrate that they are struggling to afford or no longer able to afford the operational and/or upkeep costs of the home they own and reside in. Operational costs are defined as all utilities, property taxes, and insurance. Upkeep costs are defined as regular maintenance costs and needed improvements or renovations related to the safety of the home.
- The potential member/resident must demonstrate that the home they own and live in no longer supports their ability to manage their daily living activities, due to accessibility or safety reasons related to declining mobility or other health conditions.
An Occupational Therapist or other qualified health professional may be required to make an assessment. An example would be a two-story home where the sole bathroom and bedrooms are on the
Income Eligibility
Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd. Is required by their funding to ensure that potential member/residents meet the following income requirements, of the Nova Scotia Household Income Limits, Effective as of June 2025.
Region
Western (Annapolis, Kings, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens & Lunenburg Counties)
1 Bedroom
$62,500
2 Bedroom
$73,000
3+ Bedroom
$84,500
Household Income Limits (HILs) includes the combined total gross annual income for every person aged 16 years and older living in the home. “Bedroom Count” is used by NS Department of Growth and Development to determine family composition and assign it to a HILs category.
Some income types are not calculated to determine total household income for some programs. We encourage you to apply even if your household income is slightly above these income limits.
Housing Affordability Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd.
Trestle Way Neighbourhood
Rental Rate QNCH’s Trestle Way:
Unit Size Rental Rate
1 bedroom $790 max rent
2-bedroom $1040 max rent
3-bedroom $1105 max rent
