NDP call on UCP to halt plan to sell off affordable housing
NDP Seniors and Housing critic, Lori Sigurdson, wrote to Minister Josephine Pon on National Housing Day Monday to urge her to address many concerns Albertans have with the government’s plan to sell off Alberta’s affordable housing stock.
In her letter, Sigurdson called on the UCP to delay their plans to sell affordable housing until after the next provincial election.
“Bring this debate directly to voters. We are closer to the next election than the previous one. I have not met anyone who is not a corporate landlord or developer who supports this bill. But if you believe this is the vision that represents the views of Albertans, then I encourage you to campaign on it,” the letter said.
“At the Public Accounts Committee meeting last week, your department stated they did not prepare for the impact of your UCP government taking away the $307 shelter benefit and reducing other income supports from the most vulnerable Albertans in our province. While you have been developing your plan to get rid of affordable housing, you have not addressed the increasing demand — apartments must not be traded for shelter mats.