Peter Bevan-Baker Announces Plans to Restore the Strong Public Role in Housing and to Protect Housing RightsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2023
Charlottetown, PE - After four years of a Dennis King government, Islanders are concerned about the state of the housing market. Since King took office, the cost of shelter on PEI has increased 25% and the vacancy rate for apartments has dropped to 0.8%.
The King government dragged its feet, but a Green Government will act decisively and act now to make a difference for Islanders. Today, Green leader Peter Bevan-Baker announced a plan to restore the strong public role in housing and protect housing rights. As part of this plan, a Green Government would:
Commit at least $385 million over the next 5 years to build new public housing and repair existing housing, including seniors housing that has been neglected by this government.
Commit at least $100 million over four years to buy existing residential and commercial accommodations and convert them into public housing.
Establish a right of first refusal on the sale of multi-unit residential and commercial accommodations to ensure government has the first opportunity to buy housing.
Make low-interest loans available to housing developers.
Introduce programs to address labour shortages in the construction sector so we can build more housing.
Protect Islanders from illegal rents by establishing a rental registry.
Make the moratorium on renovictions permanent to protect tenants from unnecessary evictions
Expand government-funded emergency and transitional shelter facilities.
A further housing announcement, detailing the Green Party plan for regulating the housing market, will be made next week.
Quotes:
“A Green Government will act decisively and act now to make a difference in the lives of Islanders. We will make up for years of inaction and a complete lack of investment by successive Liberal and Conservative governments. Dennis King had four years to act on housing and has done virtually nothing. Islanders can’t afford another four years of dithering.”
Peter Bevan-Baker, Leader of the Green Party of PEI
“I’ve heard countless stories about this government’s neglect of seniors’ housing. I brought concerns about the state of seniors’ housing to the Legislature, about how seniors felt unsafe and abandoned in their homes. The Conservatives told me Island seniors were lying. Our seniors deserve a government that takes their concerns seriously. A Green Government will do exactly that.”
Karla Bernard, Green Party Candidate for District 12, Charlottetown-Victoria Park
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Green Party of PEI
Tel: (902) 916-7816
Email: jonathan.hamel@greenparty.pe.ca
