When Housing NWT announced a rent hike for its market-rate rentals this week, the size of the jump wasn’t immediately clear.
While Cabin Radio heard from one tenant in Fort Liard whose described their rent as increasing by $800 a month, the territory’s housing authority didn’t immediately provide a comparison between the current rents and the increases that will take effect in August.
We now have that comparison, which shows some tenants will face a 35-percent rent increase.
The increases shown on this page apply only to those tenants who are specifically occupants of market rental homes, a program that’s distinct from social housing.
Market rental rates were previously determined by a system of three geographically distinct rental zones.
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The adjusted rates being introduced from August will charge tenants in all communities the same amount, with rent varying by home size but not location.
It’s possible that in some cases, rent increases may appear larger than those shown in the charts as the new rents include heating costs. Previously, some tenants may have paid rent and heating fuel costs separately.
Housing NWT says market rental units are offered alongside social housing to “increase the availability of housing in smaller communities for community workers,” according to a spokesperson for the organization.
The spokesperson confirmed there are currently no changes planned to rents charged through Housing NWT’s social housing program, which offers income-based subsidies.
