CALGARY- An investigation by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) into subsidized housing in Calgary has found hundreds of suites are being rented out to higher-income tenants.
The investigation discovered 1,208 tenants making between $50,000 and $172,000 are living in housing subsidized by the city-owned Calgary Housing Company.
Through a Freedom of Information request, the CTF found one tenant with an annual income of over $171,000, 18 tenants with an annual income of more than $120,000 and 123 tenants who earn more than $80,000 a year.
Most of the high income earners are paying rent at around 10% below market rents.
“People with enough money to support themselves shouldn’t be the beneficiaries of taxpayer subsidized housing,” says CTF Alberta Director Derek Fildebrandt.
“Taxpayers pay good money to help house the poor and this money is clearly going to people who don’t need or deserve it.”
The city doesn’t dispute the findings of the investigation, but says prior to November, 2011, there was no income-testing for the units involved.
It says the province’s Landlord and Tenancy Act prevents the Calgary Housing Company from evicting the renters.
For a detailed breakdown of housing and income categories and a backgrounder, CLICK HERE.
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