Tenants of a non-profit housing organization in Halifax were told Tuesday they'll be out of their homes just 10 days before Christmas.
The cost of rent for tenants of Brunswick Street Non-Profit Housing went up in August after a provincial subsidy to the landlord was cut off.
Shirley Joyce has been living in one of the homes for 30 years. The 80-year-old says her neighbours are like family.
“When you're living in a place you call home for 30 years and then all of a sudden they say you've got 15 days to get out,” said Joyce.
Joyce and others say they can’t afford the hundreds of dollars in rent increases, and is being evicted, effective Dec. 15.
“We got one night's notice stating that our subsidy was gone, and we had to pay full rent, which is $548,” said Joyce.
Joyce lives on a fixed income and says her rent has always been based on that. The sudden increase has left her and others without a way to make ends meet.
“It's very difficult when tenants are caught in the middle of a process dealing with subsidies and mortgages and we will always make sure that we're there for tenants,” said Community Service Minister Joanne Bertrand.
Bernard says this particular provincial subsidy is intended to help non-profit organizations pay down their mortgage.
“When the mortgage is done, the non-profit should be taking the money they paid on mortgage and still providing their tenants on subsidy,” said Bertrand.
Bernard says she can't dictate how a non-profit should run.
“It's complete baloney,” said Nova Scotia NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald. “This Minister of Community Services has a housing strategy that's all about affordable housing.”
Meanwhile, Joyce and others living in Brunswick Street Housing are waiting to hear whether help will come in time.
“I have no idea. I don't intend to go.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.
