Pandemic rent control program not likely to be extended

Premier-designate Tim Houston on Monday said he “doesn’t see a scenario” where the program is extended

HALIFAXtoday \  Mark Hodgins

As the province works toward the end of COVID-19 restrictions, many are watching to see what will become of the pandemic rent control program.

That program is tied to the pandemic state-of-emergency, placing a cap on rental increases. Premier-designate Tim Houston on Monday said he “doesn’t see a scenario” where the program is extended.

“We need more housing, that’s the only way to solve a housing crisis,” Houston said. “I think there are lots of ramifications of rent control that are actually not productive to adding housing stock.”

Advocates and tenants have recently shared stories of notice from landlords that their rent will be increasing, drastically in some cases, once the rent control program ends.

Houston was asked if rent control could help bridge the gap, since more housing will take time to build.

“We’ll have discussions with anyone who wants to talk about solutions for bridging or whatever is necessary in the short term,” he said. “I just don’t believe rent control is a way to a long-term solution to the problem that we have here, and I think it could be a deterrent to a long-term solution.”