SASKATCHEWAN RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS REACT TO SASKATCHEWAN NDP HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT

SASKATCHEWAN RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS REACT TO SASKATCHEWAN NDP HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT

SASKATCHEWAN RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS REACT TO SASKATCHEWAN NDP HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT

  • Posted by Member Services
  • On September 10, 2024
  • 0 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

The Saskatchewan Landlord Association is encouraged by the Saskatchewan NDP’s announcement on investing in the province’s housing continuum by reinstating direct payment to rental housing providers and investing in renovations of provincial housing units. However, the Association is not supportive of the NDP’s proposal to create additional legislation that will regulate rent increases.   

The Saskatchewan Landlord Association has been advocating for the reinstatement of direct payment to rental housing providers for over five years and is in strong support of the proposed policy revisions.

“Direct payments for income assistance programs are an effective eviction prevention tool that helps renters on income assistance manage their money and maintain housing”,

– Cameron Choquette, SKLA CEO

Saskatchewan’s residential housing industry – including construction, rental, and real estate, faces a significant gap in housing inventory to accommodate future population growth. This reality has been confirmed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in their September 2023 report on housing shortages, that states Saskatchewan needs 60,000 to 80,000 new housing units by the end of 2030.

The NDP’s proposal to create additional legislation that regulates rent increases will scare away housing development, decrease competition, and reduce the quality of housing stock in the long term. Saskatchewan consistently ranks as one of the most affordable provinces to rent a home and any government should be focused on removing barriers for development so that more units can be built, which will stabilize rental rates.

The Association understands the pressures that tenants are facing and if a tenant feels they have been subjected to a retaliatory rent increase they can contact the Office of Residential Tenancies. SKLA members agree to abide by a code of ethics that mandates compliance with the province’s Residential Tenancies Act.

“We’d encourage the NDP to meet with our members to understand the costs and challenges of operating rental housing and focus on how we can build more rental housing for a growing province”, said Choquette.

For more information, contact:

Cameron Choquette, Chief Executive Officer

eo@skla.ca

About the Saskatchewan Landlord Association

As the voice of landlords in Saskatchewan, we work to help sustain a rental housing industry that serves the needs of renters, owners, and managers. We are the leading community of industry professionals who are proud to provide safe, high quality rental homes for the people of Saskatchewan.