N.L. housing rent increase upsets tenant

An upcoming rent increase has upset at least one resident of a neighbourhood in the east end of St. John's.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation advised tenants last week that it's raising rent based on current market conditions.

Dennis Madden, who lives in a housing corporation apartment building in Pleasantville, said most residents are retirees or seniors, and the planned five per cent increase will hit them hard.

"I have no problem with the fact that I have to pay rent, but I don't think I am being treated with due concern and consideration by an agency of government when I am told that I have to pay extra at the very time when current market conditions are eroding my income," he said.

Madden said he would like to see the rent increase put on hold until financial conditions improve for seniors and retirees.

In November, Madden's rent will go from from $700 to $735 a month.

"Based On Current Market Conditions". Isn't NL Housing Corp. A Non-Profit Agency of Government, and Governed by the same department that has a maximum rent threshold subsidy of $372.00 per month? If a family on income support from HRLE is paying $372.00 per month, why are seniors on fixed income paying nearly double period?

Our New Found Wealth, and Have Status has seemingly created a whole bunch of "you cant's" for the most vulnerable amongst our people.

I am overwhelmed to even hear that in a time of economic instability, that it will cost the poorest amongst us more to live, due to increased charges levied against them, by the very department in our system that programs designed to aid them! Truly a shame!

Brudder