NDP calls for rent control rules for Nova Scotia

HALIFAX - The NDP Caucus will re-introduce legislation today to implement rent controls across Nova Scotia. Around 53,000 Nova Scotians report spending more on their rent than they can afford. This is 43 per cent of all renters in the province.

“There is a crisis in housing affordability in Nova Scotia,” said Lisa Roberts, NDP Housing Spokesperson. “This Liberal government has focused on giving rent supplements to landlords instead of building new non-market housing.”

According to the Canadian Rental Housing Index, in Nova Scotia about 43 per cent of renters are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. While 19.3 per cent are paying more than 50 per cent of their income on housing. This is the highest rate in Atlantic Canada.

“Rent controls make sense in an overheated housing market. This would follow Ontario’s example from last year,” said Roberts. “We need rent controls as a first step, and then we need to invest in public housing, co-op housing, and land trusts.”

The NDP’s legislation would restrict rent increases to 0.8 per cent in the first year. This means a unit that costs $1000 a month, could increase by no more than $8 this year. The legislation does allow for landlords to apply for increases over the guideline if there were extraordinary increases in municipal taxes, cost of utilities or investments made to the property.

The NDP will also introduce legislation today to allow municipalities to create new affordable housing units through inclusionary zoning.

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