Liberals promise to create rent bank for Nova Scotians 

Liberal leader Zach Churchill announced plans today to help renters by establishing a rent bank and closing the “loophole” of fixed-term leases.

Churchill spoke at a news conference Monday morning to announce the Liberals’ plans for renters if they are voted in tomorrow.  

 The primary announcement was the creation of a rent bank for Nova Scotians. A rent bank is a service that provides temporary assistance in the form of interest-free loans to low-income renters who are at risk of evictions. Churchill referenced the rent bank program in British Columbia, which was put in place by its NDP government to address that province’s own housing crisis in 2019. Churchill called the program a success, having assisted thousands of people. 

Churchill also promised to close what he called was a loophole in fixed-term leases, which allows some landlords to skirt the five per cent rent cap. He promised to limit fixed-term leases to one year, with any lease extensions automatically switching to year-to-year or month-to-month leases.  

Churchill proposed establishing a residential tenancies enforcement unit, which would deal with disputes between renters and landlords. He also said the Liberals would build 80,000 homes to help get Nova Scotians out of the housing crisis.  

“We have to grow our population sustainably,” Churchill said. “And we have to protect people who are renting right now.” 

Churchill said Nova Scotians should feel safe renting and have hope that they can own a home one day.  

“Our party has a plan to build a future where people have access to and can afford places to live,” he said. 

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Houston made an announcement on Nov. 20 about his party’s plans to build more than 41,200 housing units by 2028 – including 14,000 affordable housing units – if it is re-elected.

NDP leader Claudia Chender has promised to implement rent control and provide $900 rent and mortgage tax rebate for low- and middle-income households.