NS NDP Leader Claudia Chender visited Bridgewater Tuesday morning and spoke with Gayle Crouse who is one of many Nova Scotians struggling to navigate the ongoing housing crisis. Photo: Evan Taylor.
Bridgewater – Nova Scotia’s residential tenancies law has left many residents vulnerable to unjust evictions due to existing loopholes, as revealed in a recent statement by the NSNDP. In response to this pressing issue, the New Democratic Party will propose more robust eviction protections and enhanced tenancies enforcement during the upcoming legislative session, aiming to create a safer and more secure environment for renters.
Claudia Chender, the Leader of the NSNDP, voiced concern over the current situation while on a tour of the province, where shes speaking to those impacted by the housing crisis, stating, “Every day we hear from people who are too scared to speak up if they’re living in unsafe conditions or not having the terms of their lease fulfilled because they’re worried they will lose their home. People need and deserve a safe, affordable home that they can count on, and part of ensuring that is stronger protections for renters.”
The NSNDP are committed to ensuring that Nova Scotians are shielded from unfair rent hikes and evictions. To achieve this, Chender explained they intend to introduce legislation that restricts renovictions, provides support for tenants in need of alternate housing during renovations, imposes significant penalties for violations of the Residential Tenancies Act, and establishes a Compliance and Enforcement Division to enforce these protections.
Dayle Crouse, a resident of the South Shore for over seven years, has experienced firsthand the difficulties of finding stable and affordable housing. She shared her struggles, saying, “It’s been pretty much impossible to find a home to rent for my child and me that is available in the area and doesn’t cost my whole paycheck. Moving around this much is exhausting. I wish that I could give my child more of a sense of stability, but instead, I’ve had to get rid of most of our family history as we move from place to place.”
In Nova Scotia, 33 percent of households are occupied by renters, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment has surged by 18 percent in just three years. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect renters and address the housing crisis in the province.
