NDP Pledges Rent Credit

The BC New Democrats are pledging to introduce a renter’s credit — if they win the May 9th election

Leader John Horgan says they will provide renters with $400 a year to help with their housing costs.

Vernon-Monashee NDP candidate Barry Dorval says the fine details haven’t been determined, but he says most renters would be able to benefit from it, even those who may not need the help.

“If you own your own home, I know that I do, I benefit from the home owner’s grant annually. I make a reasonable wage, and so I get that direct support and assistance, and this is a way of taking care of people in a rental situation as well. It’s about fairness, and about supporting regular, average people,” Dorval tells Kiss FM.

Dorval says the cost of the program will be announced as part of the party’s platform Thursday.

“That’s a really important thing. We have to make sure whatever we do is fully costed. The platform will be released tomorrow, and at that time, those details around the funding of it will be included,” adds Dorval.

Horgan also announced Wednesday the NDP would change the law to close loopholes that let bad landlords jack up rents, including fixed-term leases and rent increases based on neighbourhood prices, and to restore the Liberal’s cuts to the Residential Tenancy Office to make sure renters can get help.

Photo: Barry Dorval, NDP candidate for Vernon Monashee