VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

RENT CAP A BLESSING

The sudden turnaround on rent control by the Mcneil government is welcome news for many renters who are facing huge increases and possible eviction (Nov. 26 story).

It could be said this is one of the wisest and kindest moves the province has made in many years. It is a huge dose of help to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our society.

Landlords have learned a valuable lesson as well. Never assume the government won't act when unnecessary hardships are being inflicted on its constituents. The unfortunate part is that landlords didn't take the initiative before this action by the province. Shame on them.

Christmas has come early for many in our region, and given the year we've been through, this is a well-needed boost to our collective morale.

Thank you to the Mcneil government for showing courageous and wise leadership on this file. Stand proud and take a bow.

John Moore, Halifax

A MATTER OF WILL

We are just days away from the 102nd anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, which saw the massive destruction of hundreds of homes and the displacement of many families in the northern part of our city. For weeks now, I have read with increasing alarm of the growing numbers of people facing a very uncertain winter without an affordable place to live. I cannot help but ask: “What would we do if the Halifax Explosion happened today?”

History tells us it was three levels of government working together with a not-for-profit entity, The Halifax Relief Commission, which oversaw plans to build hundreds of units of affordable family housing (325). The Hydrostone district today in north-end Halifax is recognized by urban planners as a jewel and is one of the most desirable neighbourhoods to live in in Canada.

With interest rates at an alltime low, this is the perfect time for federal, provincial and municipal governments to get back into the business of supporting the not-for-profit housing sector in constructing affordable housing.

We have watched long enough the destruction of whole sections of city streetscapes, along with many affordable rental units, only to be replaced by expensive condominium glass towers or paved parking lots for fancy car dealerships.

The private sector development model has failed miserably to meet the need for affordable housing, and that is not going to change. We need a different affordable housing model to ensure safe, secure places for children to sleep at night and leave for school from in the morning. We need an affordable housing model that provides mothers and fathers a secure place in which they can raise their children and where they themselves can be well enough to go to work.

Where there is affordable housing, communities thrive. We know what needs to be done when there is a shortage of affordable housing because we've done it before many times over the past 100 years. The question, of course, is whether we have the leadership and the political will to solve the housing crisis of 2020. Maureen Macdonald, Halifax

DIVERSIFY PORTFOLIO

Glad to see the concern of readers and columnists over the issue of affordable housing in your Nov. 21 edition. Among points made were making developers pay more for the privileges they are being given, government getting serious about a living wage and anti-poverty programs, an interim program of some rent control for low-income people, etc.

One point I did not see anyone make is the fact the province has become too “Hali-centric.” Halifax's growth has exceeded its ability to manage it.

Taking the long view, to reduce pressure on metro, the province needs to get high-speed internet everywhere. And develop a long-term growth centre policy to make half a dozen or so small towns in other parts of the province much more desirable. That means (among other things) moving some government departments to other places in the province.

J.W. Beveridge, Halifax

HOUSING HYPE?

Chris Lambie (Oct. 30 story) writes that Halifax is plagued with low vacancy rates and skyrocketing rents. But is it true?

A quick review of data collected by Canada Mortgage and Housing suggests not. Rents have been rising at around three per cent per year, close to the rate for household incomes and about one per cent more than general inflation. Hardly “skyrocketing.” Vacancies were running at just over one per cent in 2019, which is tight. However, apartment turnover in 2019 was over 20 per cent.

This year is a terrible year for landlords. Immigrant and student demand has practically vanished because of Covid-related lockdowns. The stock market doesn't think life is good for Halifax's biggest landlord — Killam REIT'S shares are down 25 per cent from the level early in the year. Michael Poulton, Halifax

TARGET CLIENTS WISELY

I congratulate HRM for giving priority to addressing the growing housing problem in the city. I think that we as a society have a fundamental obligation to help the disadvantaged and the vulnerable improve their circumstances. The specific initiatives being supported all sound very worthy.

However, as a rule, in targeting clients, I would caution against discriminating in favour of or against any particular group. It seems to me that degree of need and possibly willingness to take responsibility for personal decisions should be the overriding criteria in the process. If we continue to target, particularly on the basis of ethnicity, I worry that some of those in the greatest need may fall through the cracks.

I'm also troubled by the concept of accommodations that are open to only particular ethnicities. Inclusivity promotes understanding, trust, respect, mutual support, and friendship. Segregation doesn't.

Both discrimination and segregation are unhealthy and retrogressive.

I hope these thoughts contribute to the direction of future such initiatives.

John Sollows, Yarmouth