New Democrats have real solutions to put homes within reach, protect renters

HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia NDP has real solutions to fight the housing crisis facing Nova Scotians and put homes within reach. So far during the fall session, New Democrats introduced legislation to create a renters’ tax credit, expand the Down Payment Assistance Program, develop guidelines to support funding programs that prioritize housing people can actually afford and create real rent control.

“This is a multifaceted problem and we need a multifaceted approach. Our Homes Within Reach plan attacks this issue from all angles – from supply, to making rents more affordable, to making homeownership more achievable,” said Nova Scotia New Democrat leader Claudia Chender. “The Houston government is not listening to Nova Scotians who struggle to afford their homes in this province. Families are being forced to make difficult decisions between their housing costs and buying groceries. It doesn’t have to be this way, better is possible. With political will and action, we can turn the tide and make sure homes are within reach for all Nova Scotians.”

Chrissi Harper has lived in the Halifax area for about 10 years. Next month, Harper and their spouse will be forced to move out of province because their fixed-term lease is ending and there is nowhere else to rent within their budget.

“It’s frustrating and disheartening. I’ve worked hard to build a life here and I was looking forward to putting down roots and growing our family. Now we’re going back to square one,” said Harper. “I love this province and this city, but it’s getting harder and harder for young people who are just starting their lives. This hurts everyone, and this is not the Nova Scotia I fell in love with.”

Sydnee Blum, a community legal worker with Dalhousie Legal Aid, said fixed-term leases are becoming an increasingly popular tool for landlords that makes it possible to evict renters when they want to raise prices above the rent cap or free up the unit.

“We frequently hear from renters who fear losing their homes at the end of their fixed term. This type of lease is being misused and it's leading to greater housing insecurity across the province,” said Blum. “Nova Scotians on fixed-term leases are afraid to assert their legal rights because they are scared of being evicted. We need to eliminate the fixed-term lease loophole so that bad actors no longer have the means to evict tenants to raise rents.”

New Democrats tabled legislation Wednesday to limit renovictions and increase fines to discourage bad-faith evictions, and a bill to establish a homelessness task force to develop and monitor homelessness strategies and provide accurate data on homelessness province-wide.

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