We are just coming out of a beautiful long weekend, and I hope everyone had a chance to slow down a little, spend some time with friends and family, or both.
Fall in Dartmouth South is always a busy and exciting time. I’m looking forward to the Fire and Water Festival on Saturday, October 17th, and Nocturne is always a great opportunity to check out something new on both sides of the harbour. You can even hop on the ferry for some Ferry-oke while you make your way over to the Halifax events. There are also lots of great shows coming up at the Sanctuary Arts Centre, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing Frenchy’s the Musical, opening Friday, October 16th at Alderney Landing Theatre.
Housing continues to be one of the biggest concerns I hear about from people across Dartmouth South. Rents in Nova Scotia have increased faster than anywhere else in the country, and families are struggling to keep up. At the same time, the rent cap is currently scheduled to end at the end of next year. I will continue pushing for meaningful protections for tenants, including closing fixed-term lease loopholes and making rent control permanent.
I’ve also heard from a number of people who are struggling to understand how “Average Market Rents” are calculated for programs like the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit. The figures are based on rental homes across a neighbourhood, including long-term tenancies, rather than what people are actually seeing when they search for a new home. This can make a significant difference. For example, the current average market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Dartmouth is listed at $1,499, but finding a two-bedroom apartment at that price today is extremely difficult. I think it’s important that these numbers reflect the reality people are facing when they are actually trying to find a home.
I continue to advocate for more action to make housing affordable for everyone. In the meantime there are a number of programs that my office can help to navigate that can provide some cost relief for those eligible. See below for more details about the Heating Assistance Rebate Program, the Seniors Care Grant and the Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program to see if you may be eligible.
As always, if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 902-406-2301 or claudiachender@nsmla.ca.
Have a wonderful end to the summer, and I’ll see you around Dartmouth South!
Claudia
