CALGARY- Some Calgarians making six-figure incomes are taking up spots in taxpayer subsidized housing, according to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
The CTF found more than 30 people earning over $100,000 per year are tenants in units managed by the Calgary Housing Company, which is funded by taxpayers. 200 renters earn over $60,000 per year, while one is making over $170,000.
“This is just unethical,” complains Derek Fildebrandt from the CTF. “There are people who need social housing units in the city right now, and there are people in the units who don’t need the help.”
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All of the higher-income tenants moved in before 2011, when income limits became mandatory. Calgary Housing says they cannot be kicked out, unless they break lease rules.
“The current legislation under the resident tenancy act does not allow us,” explains Larry Hamm. “If the tenant is in good standing on a month to month lease, we do not have the ability to move them.”
While the high-income tenants aren’t subsidized, they are paying 10 per cent less than market value.
Calgary Housing manages 9,000 units, and there are currently three thousand people on a waiting list for units.
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