TRURO, N.S. — Not only does the public now have a chance to express their views on issues around affordable housing in Nova Scotia, they’re encouraged to.
That is the initiative behind a link on the website – nsaffordablehousingcommission.ca – which is seeking feedback on the situation.
The Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission recently set up the opportunity for public input as it moves forward in developing recommendations to present to the provincial government.
Comments can also be called in at 1-833-743-0777 or sent by email to: [email protected].
“We’re at the point where we’re gathering information from not just people in the industry who are building housing, but talking to community organizations, the general public and people who are renters to tell us what some of the problems are in their communities. What are some of the barriers to affordable housing?” Ren Thomas, co-chair of the commission, said.
Talking to the Truro News only a few days after the input avenues were established, Thomas said the commission has not yet received a lot of responses, but efforts are underway to make more people aware of the opportunities through the commission’s contacts in different municipalities.
“We have been circulating the links to a lot of different community organizations who are not members of the commission, but who we heard from and want to get their feedback,” she said. “So we did send them all the links and other options to get involved, including by writing hard copy letters if they want to.”
The commission was established late last November and includes 17 members from various sectors involved in the issue. Thomas said they do have a fairly short timeline within a six-month window to have their recommendations presented in May.
“The commission as a whole meets once a month, but we separated into working groups too, which meet more often,” she said.
“We’re definitely taking a provincewide approach here. We’re looking for how there are barriers to housing in rural and smaller communities, as well as in the big centres. We know we have a diverse geographic representation across the province of people.”
Truro-Bible Hill-Miilbrook-Salmon River MLA Dave Ritcey agrees with that view, adding it’s a problem right across Canada.
“People might want to specify urban versus rural, but it’s really a provincial issue … and a national issue,” Ritcey said. “The National Housing Strategy is now out; this is a serious issue which needs a long-term plan.”
Ritcey said it boils down to a supply versus demand, and while moves such as rent-freeze can offer stop-gap solutions, they’re just “band-aid” measures.
“It might help for the immediate, but this has been an issue for a while, it just didn’t happen overnight,” he said. “I think this commission needs to come out with good ideas, strong recommendations because government has failed with this situation … it’s a mess.”
Ritcey talked about immigration into the province and how it should be met with housing/accommodation questions already answered.
“We brag about immigration, people coming to our communities, but we have to know where to put them. There is no real plan and we can’t put the cart before the horse,” he said. “Door knocking, I can see the need first-hand. The living conditions some people are existing in needs to be evaluated. It’s not going to be a quick fix.”
But Ritcey said he does think there is some “traction” in his riding to deal with the issue and is looking forward to being part of an upcoming conference call with local stakeholders and those dealing with the issue.
“It’s about community partnerships. Partnerships are going to be huge if you’re going to have a successful strategy,” he said. “The not-for-profits, the developers, all three levels of government need to be engaged, on top of it and working collaboratively to find solutions.”
Ritcey said he sees his role, and that of other politicians, as being advocates and facilitators as far bringing the right people together.
