The vacancy rate in Cape Breton Regional Municipality has dropped to 0.8 per cent, according to data from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation. A senior analyst with the agency said a lack of apartment developments means the problem is going to get even worse.

Catherine Leviten-Reid said the $13.3 million is a good start for helping housing projects get off the ground in CBRM, but a lack of clarity regarding affordable housing builds is a big concern. She said as of last fall, 1,200 households are on a waiting list for public housing.

Environment Canada is calling for upwards of 50 millimetres of rain, along with high winds, through Saturday. Temperatures are expected to drop by Sunday, creating icy conditions across the province.