Houston government leaving renters behind

HALIFAX - Nova Scotian renters are struggling to keep up with rising costs and the programs the Houston government says are available to help are falling short.

“Nova Scotians deserve to have a home they can afford. Rents across the province have skyrocketed to the point that they are unaffordable for most. The solutions put forward by the Houston government don’t come close to meeting the need, and even the Band-Aids like rent supplements are leaving people at risk with more stringent thresholds,” said NSNDP leader Claudia Chender. “With the rising cost of everything, we need to provide real solutions to ensure renters can afford to keep their housing. We continue to call on the Houston government to bring in real rent control, stronger renter protections and tenancy enforcement, and ensure the rent supplement program is reaching the people who need it.”

Dartmouth North resident and pensioner Sylvia Cole spends more than 60 per cent of her income on rent, but still doesn’t qualify for the province’s rent supplement program.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit is available to renters who spend more than 50 per cent of their income on the market rent in their area – rather than the rent they actually pay.

Cole said the program determined that the market rent in her area is $975, despite there being no available apartments at that price. She currently pays more than $1,300 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

“Where in Halifax or Dartmouth are you going to find a one-bedroom apartment, or even one room in a house, for $975 a month? It’s basically making it impossible for anyone to qualify,” said Cole. “What’s the point of having a rental subsidy in place for people when you make it impossible to get? They’re basing it on an average price that’s not realistic anymore.”

A recent Angus Reid poll found that 25 per cent of Nova Scotians are considering leaving the province due to high housing costs.

“It is deeply disappointing that some Nova Scotians are being forced to consider moving away because they can no longer afford to live here,” said NSNDP Housing Spokesperson Suzy Hansen. “The Houston government must act now to ensure people are able to live and raise their families in a home they can actually afford.”

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