The New Brunswick Coalition for Tenants Rights is pushing to make affordable housing a higher priority for those offering in the May 10th municipal election.
The group disputes the fact housing is a provincial responsibility. It says that is a misunderstanding of municipal powers and what it terms “cooperative federalism.”
Following research on what municipalities are doing across the country to address affordable housing – the group has produced a document outlining what New Brunswick municipalities can do to help address falling vacancy rates – rent increases – homelessness – and long waiting lists for public housing. Suggestions include stronger municipal by-laws to enforce better standards in rental units – housing corporations and rent banks – and licensing for corporate landlords.
The group’s “Housing for All plan can be found here.
