Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been some concern expressed by Members of this House about the implementation of the rent scale. I would like to make a statement today about our work with local housing organizations on the introduction of the new scale.
A new rent scale for social housing was approved in this House last fall. Changes in rent will start on April 1st. Increases will be phased in over the next four years. Change of any sort is difficult on people and it is important that all community members, especially tenants, know exactly what the change will mean to them.
To make sure that people learn about the new rent scale, the Housing Corporation has taken a number of steps. Over the last two months, Housing Corporation field staff and the staff of the local housing organizations in each community have been trained on the new scale. These people are our front-line workers whose job it is to answer tenant questions and implement the rent scale changes.
Members may have noticed some ads in the northern newspapers, posters around the communities or heard corporation staff on the radio answering questions on the new rent scale. This is being done to make sure everyone understands about the changes to the rent scale or where to get more information.
Notices of changes to rent have either been hand-delivered or sent by double registered mail to tenants.
Staff from the local housing organizations have reported that approximately 95 per cent of households received their notices by February 28th. Some tenants have not been reached yet because they are out of town. We will give these tenants their notices when they return and their rent will change one month from the date of getting their notices. Decreases in rent will be retroactive to April 1st.
In addition to the rent scale change notice, tenants received an information package on the rent scale changes and options for home ownership. This information advised tenants to contact their local housing organization to receive a counselling session on how the rent scale change would affect them. Local housing organization staff report that, as of March 3rd, approximately 40 per cent of tenants have asked for counselling and have been counselled. Local housing organization staff are confident that the March 31st deadline is achievable.
Mr. Speaker, every tenant will be individually informed about the new rent scale. Options for home ownership will be discussed with those higher-income tenants who may consider moving out of social housing. Information is being translated so that everyone receives the information in the language they understand best.
As I mentioned, change is difficult and for some of our higher-income families it may mean quite a big change. They will be encouraged to move out of social housing. However, we must do this so our social housing units are available for families who cannot afford home ownership. It is a very big job for our local housing organizations and corporation field staff. They are working long hours to make sure that all 5,600 families living in social housing are counselled before the beginning of April. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.