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N.B. government reveals housing strategy, and rent cap isn’t part of it

Rent cap should have been included, say tenants’ rights group and opposition

A rent bank and direct financial assistance to tenants are among the initiatives in the province’s new housing strategy, but a rent cap is not included.

The N.B. Housing Strategy: Housing for All strategy was released on Thursday in Moncton by Social Development Minister Jill Green.

The strategy “focuses upon preventing residents from becoming unhoused and identifies $500-million over three years in new and previously committed funding by the provincial government,” a news release says.

Green said the strategy is part of the government’s 10-year plan for affordable housing and is based on input from “a wide range of stakeholders.” She said no one suggested a rent cap as the solution to the province’s problems.

Last month, she hosted a one-day housing summit in Saint John to gather ideas.

“We heard about the importance of looking at successful initiatives from other provinces like rent banks, increased funding to non-profit organizations and for more accessible housing, collaboration and co-operation among stakeholders, and about other issues that impact housing development such as labour shortages,” said Green. …[Continue Reading]

Read the full NB Housing Strategy Report, NB Housing Strategy: Housing for All