Calgary Offers Rental Aid: Too Little, For Not Many?
May 28th, 2007 posted by WeekendWarriorCalgary renters will get some relief. Well, only 225 will get about $400 worth of relief each.
The province is sending $2.3 million to Calgary to help offset the sweltering costs of renting.
With the current situation of Mission area residents, where apartment rental rates are facing huge leaps in dollar amounts to force residents out, how can this minor rental assistance begin to a take a chunk out of an enormous problem?
According to Calgary Liberal MLA Dave Taylor, the program has merit. “Clearly, 225 is just a drop in the bucket, but it’s a start.” He does concede that more needs to be done.
Taylor also states that the shortage of affordable housing can be solved in a five year period. But that would require a commitment, a full commitment, from the province. Rental assistance wouldn’t be enough.
The province has earmarked $9 million to the program — with $2.3 million going to Calgarians — which will help about 2,000 Albertans break into the blistering rental market.
“We need a real, concerted effort to solve this … a real honest commitment from the government,” said Taylor.
While 225 residents will find some aid, many more will not. Just ask those facing the $900 rent hike come September. Assistance is a great baby step; but we need more!!!
Source: Calgary Sun
