Halifax rally calls for affordable housing measures in Nova Scotia

A rally in Halifax called for affordable housing measures in Nova Scotia.

A Halifax rally featuring university students and community members called for affordable housing measures across Nova Scotia on Friday.

The Dalhousie Student Union organized the Housing Crisis March from Victoria Park to Province House as part of their larger Tenants Advocacy Week.

“We have students on the Dal campus that are unhoused and we think that is unacceptable and so this is not only part of our moral goal but we are also needing to stay true to our constituents and they are being hit hard by this crisis,” says Maren Mealey, president of the union.

“We are seeing that we have these predatory systems. We have housing that is not being treated as a human right but instead being treated as a commodity and we really push back against that notion. We think housing should be dignified and accessible to all.”

In an open letter to Premier Tim Houston and Housing Minister John Lohr, the union called an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act to allow fixed-term leases to automatically convert to month-to-month agreements after they expire.

“Fixed-term leases are being used to bypass rent caps, forcing tenants into new contracts at much higher rates,” the letter reads. “Instead of providing stability, the system is leaving people in constant precarity.”

NDP Leader Claudia Chender spoke at the rally and said the fixed-term loophole is causing rents to skyrocket.

“What we’re seeing here are some of the people affected most, young people in our province,” Chender said. “We need to keep our young people, we need to give them a reason to do that and make it affordable to do so.”

The union is also calling for landlords to be required to obtain approval before evicting tenants for renovictions and for a permanent rent control linked to inflation.

“Taken together, these reforms would close harmful loopholes, stabilize rental markets, and protect vulnerable renters,” the letter reads. “This is not only a student issue. It is about safeguarding families, seniors, workers, and the next generation who want to live, study, and build their futures in Nova Scotia.”

In an email to CTV News, the departments of Advanced Education, Growth and Development and Service Nova Scotia said affordable housing is essential for all Nova Scotians.

“Departments across government are working together to increase housing options while working to ensure tenants rights are protected,” reads the email.

“Government is prioritizing solutions to increase housing options for post-secondary students so they can focus on their studies.”

The government says a new Student Housing Development pilot program, which is one of many initiatives underway, is working to “provide financial support to universities and non-profits who want to build student housing in communities with universities and colleges.”

“Creating more affordable housing for Nova Scotians continues to be a priority for this government. There have been many successes to date and we recognize there is more work for us to do. And that is work we commit to get done in the best interest of all Nova Scotians,” reads the email.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Emma Convey

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