Art Fisher is the executive director of the non-profit Family Service Association of Western Nova Scotia. On Tuesday he appeared in front of a virtual Standing Committee of Community Services to speak about affordable housing and COVID-19. He made some excellent points, which is why we are publishing a transcript of his introductory remarks.
Media release: This report shows a complete disconnect from the reality that tenants in this province are facing. Rather than provide material protections for tenants or invest in building public housing, the commission has chosen to recommend cutting red tape and giving tax breaks to developers, vague promises to improve public housing, and discontinuing rent control past the state of emergency.
As of May 21 landlords must ask for tenants’ permission before they conduct in-person showings for the purpose of renting or selling the property. Reporter Jennifer Pratt writes about the new rule, and about her own predicaments dealing with this issue.
A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Nova Scotia, released today, is making nearly 100 recommendations to address affordable housing and homelessness crises across the province. Journalist Stephen Wentzell spoke with one of its authors, and highlights some of its recommendations.
Press release: Low- and moderate-income tenants are fighting back against the recent wave of eviction notices by demanding the Province step in.
On Tuesday, May 4th Nova Scotia ACORN will be picketing at MP Andy Fillmore’s office calling on them to support ACORN Canada’s Rein in the REITs campaign. Socially distanced, less than 5 people
Kendall Worth interviews Janice, a long time Nova Scotia ACORN member who lives on income assistance. Janice describes her experiences of being an ACORN member as nothing but positive.
Good news! The Out of the Cold shelter, which was set to close at the end of April, will be able to stay open until June 30th, thanks to some federal funding and a landlord willing to extend the lease until then. Of course Out of the Cold will face the same problem again come July. We speak with Out of the Cold’s executive director Michelle Mallette about what needs to happen.
Kendall Worth reports that a lack of affordable housing is increasingly becoming a topic of conversation and a big problem in his community.
This weekend’s video is a short but powerful one, a conversation with Andrew, one of the folks living in a one-person crisis shelter constructed by Halifax Mutual Aid.