The opposition is calling government’s move to keep the rent cap in place until 2023 a big win.
NDP Leader Gary Burrill says this step is a “major victory” as it will allow many Nova Scotians to stay in their homes.
“This change will mean the immediate relief of some of the anxiety people are facing with the rapid increases in rental costs,” Burrill says in a news release.
Although Burrill supports the extension of the cap, he still wants to see permanent rent control adopted.
Progressive Conservative Premier Tim Houston announced on Wednesday his government will introduce legislation to extend the two per cent residential rent increase cap to December 31, 2023.
Houston said this is a stop gap measure while more affordable housing is built. They’re also bringing in a slew of amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act to prevent “renovictions.”
The NDP says the next step is ensuring new affordable units get set up fast.
“Non-profit housing is a key to increasing the supply of affordable housing,” Halifax Needham MLA Suzy Hansen says in a news release. “Many people will be pleased to see this new level of support . . . The key priority will be making sure new units get built and get built quickly.”
The government will spend $35 million to build 1,100 affordable housing units in Nova Scotia.
In the Halifax area, vacancy rates currently sit at one percent and the rent has gone up by four per cent in the last year.
**With files from B. Jack Morse.
