Renters must be a priority in the upcoming budget « Canada’s NDP

March 25, 2024 at 5:00 am  Federal, Politics

HALIFAX — On Monday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the NDP candidate for Halifax, Lisa Roberts, called for a fund to protect renters in the next budget following a meeting with non-profit housing providers. This fund would help not-for-profit organizations buy affordable housing when it’s up for sale, allowing them to keep it affordable for renters.

While Justin Trudeau has been in power, rent has doubled across the country and a staggering eleven affordable homes are lost for every one affordable home that gets built. Without this fund, affordable housing will continue to be purchased by wealthy, corporate landlords who buy up apartment buildings and jack up the prices for the renters that live there.

“Renters here in Halifax are worrying about being renovicted or getting pushed out of their home after their fixed-term leases are over. More and more often giant, corporate housing profiteers are buying up affordable buildings and raising the rent for the people who live there,” said Singh. “We can’t make our communities affordable for renters if we don’t protect the affordable homes we already have. But while both Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre were in government they let rich developers turn affordable homes into luxury apartments. Both Conservatives and Liberals have let their big developer friends get rich at Canadian renters’ expense. New Democrats know people deserve better.”

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is now almost $2000 a month in Halifax. Instead of the Trudeau government investing to protecting housing for renters, Halifax lost 25 per cent of its affordable housing stock since the Liberals have been in power — that’s 8140 homes that are no longer affordable. And the issue continues to get worse. Earlier this winter, an entire apartment building in Dartmouth was renovicted.

“Renters are already struggling with growing costs and very low vacancy rates. People need a government committed to protecting renters,” said Roberts. “Urgent and extensive investment in nonmarket housing will ensure that public dollars contribute to increased affordability.

“New Democrats want to give people options and help make our communities more affordable. We’re asking the federal government to protect renters by saving more existing affordable homes with a dedicated fund, and we want to see it happen in the next budget.”

View the full article from the original source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Zoa Peak Hike – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Sugarloaf (Lundbom) Hike – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Politicians pour fuel on an overheating planet
Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Kane Valley Hike – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Voting in a time of climate chaos
Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Tea with the Trolls – KamloopsTrails
Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Watching Creek Hike – KamloopsTrails
Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Twilight Hill Hike – KamloopsTrails
Full Stream

Upcoming Events

KAG: Presences
Thursday Sep 26 to Thursday Dec 19
KAG: Stories That Animate Us
Saturday Oct 5 to Saturday Dec 28
WCT: The Woman in Black
Thursday Oct 10 to Sunday Oct 20
Gaming: Yu-Gi-Oh! Locals
Sunday Oct 20
KFS: The Public
Sunday Oct 20
Gaming: Tuesday One Piece
Tuesday Oct 22
Kamloops Comedy Open Mic
Wednesday Oct 23
All Events