A Halifax-based property management company says they’re rethinking how affordable housing is delivered and are finding success with new ideas.

Vida Living was launched in 2018 with the purchase of a 12-unit building in the Fairview area of Halifax.

Founder Ron Lovett had been involved with real estate prior to taking over that property and says it wasn’t long after he took ownership that he started considering new ways to approach affordable housing.

“Originally I was going to take the same approach; go in, don’t put up with anything, focus and turn this thing around,” Lovett said. “And then I thought… why not go back to the drawing board on affordable housing?”

Lovett says the response was immediate as tenants began to take to their new methodology which included beefing up building security, cleaning properties inside and out, and adding amenities not typically seen in low-cost rentals like libraries and fitness centres.

“A tenant would receive a welcome basket with a welcome letter and a video of myself talking about where we came from, how this happened, what we’re trying to achieve and how they can participate,” he explained.

“Right then, right there I knew we were on to something.”

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