Some successes, more work to do in bringing down homeless numbers

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Following a series of meetings late last month in Antigonish and St. Peter's, NDP leader

Claudia Chender told The Reporter that one issue that was raised included the high costs of power, gas, groceries, other goods.

The NDP leader said the $1,000 heating assistance rebate - which is available to every family making less than $85,000 and who pay for their own heat - can help.

But while in Antigonish, Chender said she was told "there are still too many barriers even to that program for some people," noting that income tax forms from the previous year are required, leaving out newcomers and others who may have challenges doing their taxes.

Chender said an example of things the provincial government could do include a low income energy program allowing some people to pay a different power bill based on what they can realistically afford.

She said the NDP has been calling on the province to index income assistance rates so those on income assistance can afford to buy groceries.

While speaking with the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre, Chender was told how some housing issues are "more hidden" in rural areas.

The NDP leader said she and her caucus can see how dire the housing situation is according to the "huge" lists for public housing and the "skyrocketing rents."

Chender said they are pushing for more public, not-for-profit, non-market housing for so people can actually afford it, and to reform Housing Nova Scotia so people who are eligible to get support can access it in a timely way.

Chender said the NDP has prepared legislation the government could pass to allow the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board and Nova Scotia Power to create a separate rate structure for low income Nova Scotians, noting that power bills can be the things that push people right over the edge."

Because some Nova Scotians are choosing between food and medicine, and based on research from Feed Nova Scotia, Chender said the province should waive pharmacare premiums for families and seniors to prevent people from getting sick and accessing the "very strained health care system."

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