A mother and daughter with disabilities in Fredericton faced housing instability when their landlord opted out of New Brunswick’s rent subsidy program, jeopardizing overdue repairs and leading to a significant rent increase. Lisa Young, 32, and Sandy White, 59, are now advocating for legislative changes to protect vulnerable tenants from similar situations.
According to Young, the lack of care for subsidized units traps individuals with limited housing options. Julia Woodhall-Melnik, a housing issues expert at the University of New Brunswick, highlighted the trend of landlords exiting the subsidy program to raise rent prices and evade property improvements.
Woodhall-Melnik proposed fixed-length subsidy agreements for private landlords to prevent unilateral withdrawal. The mother-daughter duo’s battle for better living conditions began in 2021 when they reported issues like black mold, smoke odors, and broken fixtures. Despite complaints and a Public Health inspection, repairs were delayed until the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office intervened.
Following a notice of subsidy removal and a steep rent hike, Young and her mother opted to move out due to unaffordable rent. Their search for a new home ended the prolonged struggle for better living conditions as the investigation ceased upon their departure.
Ability New Brunswick secured a direct-to-tenant subsidy for the pair due to their disabilities, as the program assists tenants directly rather than landlords. Minister David Hickey acknowledged the 60-day notice requirement for landlords exiting the subsidy program and assured support for affected tenants. However, the direct-to-tenant program is currently oversubscribed, with over 13,000 households awaiting assistance.