The NDP, along with anti-poverty groups throughout the province, have voiced their concerns with the cut to the housing supplement. If the cut goes forward on July 1st as planned, new applicants will have to wait at least two years before the Canada Housing Benefit is enacted by the federal government.
“For me, this program is the difference between being housed and being homeless,” said Crystal Linka, a single mother who receives the Rental Housing Supplement while she cares for her three children, one of whom has a disability and another is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
“Some people are one paycheck away from being homeless and now the government is cutting this program for new applicants,” said Roberta Fehr, who also receives the supplement. “The government has not increased the affordable housing market in order for low income people to have appropriate housing for their needs.”
“This cut to the housing supplement will only continue to hurt the province’s most vulnerable and those who are already struggling to find a stable living arrangement,” said NDP Social Services Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “This callous plan needs to be scrapped before it causes much devastation and hurt to many Saskatchewan families.”