The leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Jagmeet Singh held a press conference in Halifax yesterday to address the rising rent costs in the city.

Halifax has seen a 25 per cent increase compared to last year, according to a national report. The report also says the city will continue to see the annual rate of rent grow due to the record high population growth and low home ownership affordability.

“The average rent now for a two bedroom in Halifax is above $2,200. This is outrageous,” Singh says.

The NDP leader spoke on their plan to create more affordable housing. Part of that plan is to incentivize the building of affordable housing.

“We've called for things like waiving the GST or HST on builds that meet the definition of affordability,” Singh says.

High costs of construction is also causing a shortage of new builds in Halifax and the rest of the country.

“The vacancy rates are so low, they're below one per cent,” Singh says.

Other alternatives the NDP are looking at are calling for an acquisition fund which would allow community groups, the municipality or cooperatives to keep property in the hands of these groups in order to build affordable housing.

At least 48,000 residents in Nova Scotia currently have 30 per cent of their income going towards shelter, a 2021 census shows.

“The stories that we have heard from young people that earn decent wages to couples that are living together with two incomes, and still barely able to afford something that's in their income,” Singh says.

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