Calls for rent control grow louder in Halifax as tenants raise more concerns
There are growing calls for rent control in Halifax from tenants who say finding a new apartment in the city is simply not feasible anymore.
Grace Fogerty is a 63 year old woman who works at a gas station. She has lived in her Halifax apartment for 10 years. Her rent, which was $725 a month, will increase in April by $650—a 90% increase. She simply can’t afford to pay $1375 a month for a one bedroom apartment on Dutch Village Road.
Not yet old enough for Canada Pension, to make ends meet, Fogerty has to work as many hours as she can at a job that pays little better than minimum wage. Her support system and her health have taken a beating. Recently, her daughter passed away, and both Fogerty’s parents died. If she has to pay more in rent, she will have to forego drugs which are important to treat her various medical issues.
Another Chronicle Herald story relates how a man saw rent at his apartment at 58 Main Avenue in Fairview increase by $250 to $1600 a month. The story speculates that the increase contributed to the man committing suicide.
Rent