Released on November 18, 2008
The Saskatchewan Party Government today introduced amendments to The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Act, 1995. These amendments assist Saskatchewan renters by implementing further recommendations made in the Report of the Task Force on Housing Affordability.
The revised Residential Tenancies Act doubles the notice period for rent increases from three months to six months where there is a month-to-month lease. It also prohibits rent increases other than those agreed to between the parties in a fixed term lease. In addition, the legislation addresses such issues as retention of security deposits, simplification of the process on applications for eviction, and contesting eviction notices by tenants.
"These changes to the legislation will provide rent increase relief for tenants in this time of economic momentum in Saskatchewan," Justice Minister Don Morgan said. "The changes also help landlords deal with issues that they find challenging in the current environment. We believe it's a balanced package."
An additional recommendation of the Task Force on Housing Affordability, was to change the governance structure of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) to a board comprised of housing stakeholders across the province, including representation from municipalities. Since 1995 when the Act was amended, the SHC Board has consisted of a single person, the Deputy Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Once the amendment is approved, the government will begin the recruitment process and implement the new Board in early 2009.
"Our government is pleased to act on another recommendation from the Task Force on Housing Affordability, which calls for a new Board of Directors made up of housing stakeholders from across Saskatchewan," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "This amendment will help ensure that we remain in touch with the housing needs of Saskatchewan communities."
The Task Force was established in March 2008 by Minister Harpauer and presented its report to government in June 2008. The government has implemented a number of the Task Force recommendations, including:
- increasing the shelter allowance for clients on the Saskatchewan Assistance Program and the Transitional Employment Allowance;
- increasing the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement;
- increasing the Provincial Training Allowance;
- automatic rate adjustments of the above programs twice a year indexed to the average market rent;
- expanding the Saskatoon and Regina boundaries to include the Statistics Canada Metropolitan areas for shelter allowances in the Saskatchewan Assistance Program, Transitional Employment Allowance and the Rental Housing Supplement;
- increasing the income thresholds for seniors who rely on social housing programs; and
- increasing per diem rates paid to Community-Based Organizations that operate emergency shelters.
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For more information, contact:
Laur'Lei Silzer
Justice and Attorney General
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0775
Email: laurlei.silzer@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-0074
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca