Status quo not good enough to deal with housing crisis

HALIFAX -- The Liberal government is not moving fast enough on the housing crisis. At today’s Community Services committee witnesses answered questions about COVID-19 and homelessness.

“Today’s responses on things like rent control, investments needed in non-market housing, and giving the government first right of refusal to purchase affordable housing units were disappointing,” said NDP Housing spokesperson Lisa Roberts. “The crisis in housing affordability has been brewing for years. For the Liberals to convene a Housing Commission in the eighth year of their mandate cannot excuse their years of inaction that has had disastrous impacts in people’s lives.”

The committee also discussed the serious and urgent housing issues in rural Nova Scotia; however, the Housing Commission’s report listed addressing the needs of rural and non-urban communities as a “long-term action” that wouldn’t be dealt with until 2024.

“Homelessness and housing affordability are serious issues outside of HRM and CBRM and people in rural communities deserve support today,” said NDP Community spokesperson Kendra Coombes. “Today’s committee didn’t tell us much we didn’t already know and what’s been done so far isn’t helping enough of the people in need.”

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