NDP SUPPORT CITY OF EDMONTON ON CALL FOR MORE HOUSING SUPPORT

EDMONTON – Alberta’s NDP Official Opposition supports Edmonton’s City Council’s calling on the federal and provincial governments to assist them in acquiring more housing to urgently address homelessness due to the public health and economic effects of COVID-19.

“The UCP has shown no commitment to providing housing for people experiencing homelessness. In fact, they’ve made the situation worse.” said NDP Seniors and Housing critic Lori Sigurdson. “Mayor Iveson is right to make these calls to all levels of government to act now and we will work to ensure the UCP hears them.”  

In Budget 2019, the UCP cut funding for housing management bodies by 3.5% and Rental Assistance by 24%. Likewise, in Budget 2020, the UCP cut funding for housing maintenance by $53 million over three years and did not allocate any new capital funding for affordable housing. These cuts have made affordable housing less accessible in Alberta. 

MLA Sigurdson continued, “The UCP have made continued cuts to affordable housing even though the mayors of Edmonton and Calgary have strongly argued against those short sighted and cruel decisions. Jason Kenney and the UCP need to stop ignoring municipalities on housing and start acting. Housing is a human right and makes good economic sense. With access to affordable housing, Albertans can live in dignity. Additionally, when housing stability increases, many of the demands on other public services decrease.”