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Rent control now!
September 23, 2021 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Our new government has made it clear they’re not extending rent control past the state of emergency – tenants need to fight to keep the cap in place! Join us for a community event and peaceful protest on September 23rd at the NS legislature – ALL DAY!
Since the temporary rent cap was put in place, ACORN has been hearing stories and receiving rent increases from tenants whose landlords intend to raise rents after the cap lifts. “What we’re seeing is rent increases where the landlord says ‘Your rent is going up by the legal 2%, unless the state of emergency lifts in which case it will go up $100-$1000,” says Halifax-Peninsula Chair Hannah Wood. “We’ve seen rent increases like these for as much as $2000.”
Even though these rent increases are illegal, they have become common since the government made it clear they don’t intend to prosecute landlords who violate the 2% rent cap.
Marjike Grijm, Chair of the Dartmouth chapter of ACORN, writes: “This isn’t just an issue with the downtown core, people are even getting priced out of traditionally affordable neighbourhoods like Highfield, where a one bedroom apartment can go for as much as $1200 these days.” She disputes claims that the housing crisis was caused by the pandemic, “We were in a crisis before COVID.
Cost of living keeps skyrocketing, rents are skyrocketing, but our wages stay the same. Developments that go up in this city aren’t affordable units, and landlords bring up the rent knowing full well that tenants have no other option but to pay. If we don’t fight to keep a rent cap in place, tenants are going to keep getting priced out of the city and the province.”
Keep the Rent Cap – Agenda
10:00 – 10:30am: Introductions
10:30 – 10:45am: Nan McFadgen (NSFL)
10:45 – 10:55am: Gary Burrill (NSNDP)
10:55 – 11:10am: Suzy Hansen (NSNDP)
11:10 – 11:30am: Raymond Sheppard
11:30 – 11:45am: Christine Saulner (CCPA)
11:45am – 12:00pm: ACORN
12:00 – 1:00pm: Mark Culligan (DLAS) – Tenancy Law Q+A & Loaded Ladle – Meal Serving
1:00 – 2:00pm: Banner Making & Sign Pickup
2:00 – 2:30pm: Vicky Levack – Universal Design & Accessible Housing
2:30 – 2:45pm: Aparna Mohan (DSU) – Student Housing
2:45 – 3:00pm: Amanda Sprigs (This Should Be Housing)
3:00 – 3:30pm: ACORN – Housing Solutions Beyond Rent Control
3:30 – 3:45pm: Campbell McClintock (OOTC/ACORN)
3:45 – 4:00pm: Lina Hamid (Halifax Refugee Clinic/ACORN)
4:00 – 4:30pm: Phone-In Action
4:00 – 5:30pm: Pat Donovan (Music)
