Lisa Roberts: There was rent control here in Nova Scotia until 1993, when the then Liberal cabinet eliminated it with no fanfare or debate. The current Liberal government could re-establish it through a similar cabinet decision or it could pass our bill. Either way, it would be an important first step towards stabilizing the rental market and protecting renters from massive increases.
This afternoon some 30 tenants of 6 Nivens Avenue and their sympathizers rallied in front of the North Dartmouth building to bring attention to its state of disrepair. They also have safety concerns and are upset about a substantial rent increase received by one of the tenants that they believe are in retaliation for lodging complaints with the city.
One day before the COVID-19 eviction moratorium is set to end some twenty to thirty protesters gathered at Province House in downtown Halifax to call for extended protections for vulnerable renters in Nova Scotia.
Lisa Cameron:”Waiting for the provincial government to take appropriate action, local housing advocacy groups are promoting a city-wide rental strike starting this Wednesday.”
NDP Housing spokesperson Lisa Roberts on the affordable housing crisis. “We hear regularly from people who are facing rent hikes in the hundreds of dollars.”
Three separate tenants are all hit with huge rent increases that go in effect in March. They’re on welfare, they’re friends, and there’s no way they can afford to stay. “this is also a story that illustrates how the life of an income assistance recipient can at any time take a turn for the worse,” writes Kendall.
For many Nova Scotians renting an apartment in the community they call home is becoming very challenging. The Nova Scotia NDP is pushing for rent control, Airbnb regulation and rules that will make apartment hunting a little easier.
Kendall Worth meets with MLA Lisa Roberts to talk about high rents, Airbnb, rent control and people losing their homes. Also, there’s a petition you can download.
Kendall Worth meets with Dartmouth North MLA Susan Leblanc to talk about special needs allowances and housing.
Kendall Worth with a follow up on an earlier story about a family pushed out of their home and the neighborhood they love because of a huge rent increase.