Nova Scotia has a high percentage of homes which were built before 1946, as well as a high percentage of homes in need of repair relative to other provinces. The thesis addresses four major issues in light of these problems. First, how many Nova Scotians are renovating their homes, and how does this change over time? Second, what is the distribution of renovation across the province in settlements of different sizes? Third, what are the characteristics of renovators in Nova Scotia? Fourth, how has the involvement of the government, through funding assistance, affected the renovation process in Nova Scotia? Drawing on building permit activity, it was found that renovation is not increasing significantly across the province, with more activity occurring in urban and small town areas than in rural areas. Using census material and both published and unpublished data from an independent renovation survey, comparison of the characteristics of renovators and non-renovators are examined. Renovation in the Metro region is more closely associated with higher social status and financial security, while in rural areas virtually no characteristics stand out. Renovation touches many different types of households. The government programs at both the federal and provincial level were found to be well targeted to those areas in greatest need, and indeed the infusion of funds made a significant impact in encouraging households which might not otherwise renovate to do so. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate