New Brunswick could be on verge of affordable housing crisis

New Brunswick could be on the verge of an affordable housing crisis, according the New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association.

Results from the Canadian Rental Housing Index say that 38 per cent of New Brunswick renters are spending more than 30 per cent of their income on rent.

Tim Ross, the executive director of the Non Profit Housing Association,said the amount of money that renters are dishing out for their rent isa problem.

"These conditions combined to create a perfect storm, that will create an affordable housing crisis in Canadaand in New Brunswick," said Ross.

He said that paying too much on rent can cause problems elsewhere.

"When you pay more than 30 per cent of your income on pre tax rent, you don't have enough left over to purchase the goods and services you need to be full member of our community and our economy," said Ross.

"Times are toughand when we don't provide an adequate supply of affordable decent housing for New Brunswick residents, costs go up in health care, educational outcomes suffer, participation in the job market goes down," he said.

What iseven more concerning, Ross said,is that16 per cent of renters in the provinceare spending more than 50 per cent of their income on rent.

"The federal government is divesting in social housing," said Ross.

"For every $1 that comes to New Brunswick from the federal government in the Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement, $2.20 is going out the back door in expired operating subsidies."

He said this brings about tough decisions for non-profit and co-op housing providers.

Ross saidthere is progress being made, but that there needs to be a reinvestment in affordable housing, and a recommitment to invest in social housing.

He said all levels of government need to come together to create a national housing strategy.

"It makes economic sense. It makes sense from a social responsibility standpoint," said Ross.