The Alberta Government’s initiatives for renters announced on Friday March 27, 2020 are MUCH lacking. I see little benefit for the majority of renters in Alberta:
A. Suspension of Evictions was only alleviated until May 1, 2020 - eviction process continues and so does the STRESS. Need to extend Suspension of Evictions for ALL of 2020, except for exceptional circumstances/extreme cases where safety is concerned.
B. Rent Payment Plans are nothing new – tenants “negotiate” now with landlords. I need rent protection and affordable rents - not lengthy and stressful “negotiations”. Especially as some highly profitable Landlords have provided guidance to their investors of planned increases for 2020 – see Boardwalk REIT 2019 Annual Report, pages 24 and 80 with mention of “Stabilized Building NOI (Net Operating Income) Growth" of 4% to 7%. Does that mean MORE rent increases by Boardwalk REIT in 2020?
C. Does NOT address the high and “unaffordable” existing rents. See the CMHC definition of “affordable housing” . Or how unemployed people are actually supposed to pay them during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing challenging economy. British Columbia has provided $500 per month for renters, paid directly to landlords and the maximum allowable rent increase in British Columbia for 2020 is 2.6%. Additionally, The City of Vancouver Housing Vancouver's Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program sets monthly rents for moderate annual incomes of $30,000 to $80,000: Studio - $950; 1 Bedroom - $1,200; 2 Bedroom - $1,600; 3 Bedroom - $2,000.
D. Rent protection and supports are needed for ALL of 2020, NOT just for a few months. In Alberta, we are still trying to recover from the 2015-2016-2017 layoffs/recession and it appears highly likely we will STILL be facing a very challenging economy at the end of 2020 and into 2021. It doesn’t look much better for the rest of Canada. See: It's a long road to economic recovery, Canadian bank CEOs warn - Globe and Mail - April 8, 2020 and Alberta unemployment to likely surpass 25 per cent because of pandemic, Kenney says – Globe and Mail – April 7, 2019.
In his speech on Tuesday April 7, 2020, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney stated: “…Families worry about just paying the rent or the mortgage and putting food on the table, or whether there will be a job for you to return to when this is over. Every day I hear that anxiety, the sense of powerlessness and real fear that all of this is creating for so many good people….” [Emphasis added] I think this could be true for many people across Canada.
Renters in Alberta and across Canada URGENTLY need rent protection and supports. Highly profitable Landlords should pay their FAIR SHARE.
THANK YOU, fellow Canadians, for signing the petition!! It really does help. Let’s PROTECT RENTERS: let’s make it a WIN-WIN-WIN solution for Renters and Community as well as Landlords. Please pass the petition on to others!
Stay safe, stay healthy!
Anne
We the Courageous