Alberta's New Democrats unveiled their affordable housing policy for the provincial election Wednesday, promising to implement rent controls, crack down on condominium conversions and give first-time buyers a $25,000 interest-free loan.
Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason announces the party's housing platform Wednesday in Edmonton.
(CBC)
"Making sure families have decent affordable housing is more important than letting big landlords gouge their way to record profits," NDP Leader Brian Mason said at an Edmonton news conference to announce the plan.
The plan calls for:
- Rent controls limiting increases to the cost of living plus two per cent.
- Changes to condo conversion rules so long-term tenants can't be forced to move.
- First-time home buyers grants up to $25,000 interest-free for 10 years, interest at prime
after that.
Mason said Alberta's housing market is still difficult to crack, despite some recent slowdowns in the market.
"It's still way too expensive, I think you will find that even though it hasn't been at very super-heated levels, housing prices are still very high, and very difficult, for first-time homebuyers to get into the market."
"My rental increase has gone up from $575 to $1,700," said Bonnie Logan, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment the Beverly area of north east Edmonton.
She was one of a number of tenants the party brought to the news conference.
"I am on fixed income right now of $720, and I have a roommate [who is]also on fixed income … so [we have] a grand total of about $2,000," she said.
The Alberta Liberals have also talked about rent controls, but their cap would be temporary and allow for increases up to 10 per cent a year.
Since the spring of 2007, the ruling Tories have spent more than $50 million helping people facing huge rent hikes or evictions — $10 million more than was budgeted for the program.
Related
Internal Links
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
Alberta Votes 2008 »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
Riding Profiles
More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
