Membership Eligibility Criteria

Queens Neighbourhoods Co-operative Housing Ltd. (QNCH) was developed with a focus on seniors but embraces inclusive, multi-generational communities that embrace and foster diversity.
Members/residents will understand the core values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.
Members/residents 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.
Members/residents of a household must be either a Canadian Citizen or have Permanent Resident status. All members/residents 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.
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.
All members/residents accepted for housing will be required to agree to and follow their rights and responsibilities as a member of the co-operative which will include the operational rules specific to their neighborhood, membership code of conduct, anti-harassment and discrimination policy, and other policies laid out in the QNCH Tenant Handbook.
Priority will be given to applicants for membership/residency who are current residents of the Region of Queens Municipality, and they must be residents of Nova Scotia and presently living in the province.
QNCH’s first neighborhood Trestle Way will prioritize 70% of the units for seniors. The remainder of the units are prioritized for current residents of the Region of Queens that meet income eligibility criteria through the Household Income Limits.
Members/residents must agree to the QNCH’s Pet Policy:
- Each household is allowed only one pet.
- Cats are permitted.
- 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.
- Members/Residents are responsible for the clean-up after their pets on the outdoor grounds, and are liable for any damages caused by their pets to their units and grounds.

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:

Applicants for membership/residency 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, applicants for membership/residency 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:

- Applicants for membership/residency 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.
- Applicants for membership/residency 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 may be required to complete a home safety assessment.

Income Eligibility

Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd. (QNCH) is required by their funding to ensure that potential members/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 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 Household Income Limit category.

Each of the following represents a single “bedroom count.”

Each adult couple living in the same
Each single household member 18 years of age and older
A single parent
One child up to age 18 in a single child’s home
Each same-sex pair of children under age 18
Additional boy or girl in the household under age

Housing Affordability Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd.

Trestle Way Neighbourhood

Rental Rate QNCH’s Trestle Way Neighbourhood:

Unit Size Rental Rate

1 bedroom $790 max rent

2-bedroom $1040 max rent

3-bedroom $1105 max rent