NSNDP

December 5th, 2019

Rural communities are struggling with housing affordability

Lunenburg-- NDP Housing spokesperson Lisa Roberts will be on the South Shore today talking with organizations and community leaders about the cost of housing. The NDP has suggested first steps to deal with housing issues, including rent control, short-term rental regulations, and investments in affordable housing.

“Throughout Nova Scotia we are dealing with a situation where wages have not kept up with people’s cost of living,” said NDP Housing spokesperson Lisa Roberts. “We need to be coming up with solutions that will make sure people have a place to live. We can’t say we have a thriving economy if people who live here struggle to keep a roof over their heads.”

In Nova Scotia, 43 per cent of households are spending over 30 per cent of their income on rent and utilities. Almost 20 per cent spend 50 per cent or more of their income on housing costs.

“More and more, we see people who can’t find an affordable place to live or are on the edge of being unable to afford their housing,” said Roberts.

The recently signed federal bi-lateral agreement on housing is heavily focused on upgrading existing units. Without a clear plan, it will be years still before significant investments in new affordable housing are made.

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