Some Jasper tenants are facing rent increases of nearly 50 per cent amid a housing crisis exacerbated by the 2024 wildfire.
Janis Irwin, the Alberta NDP’s critic for housing, said she had heard from multiple Jasper residents about “astronomical increases.”
“It's quite alarming that there are Jasper residents who are facing really, really high rent hikes, especially at a time when housing – affordable housing, in particular – has been an issue in Jasper,” she said.
The Jasper Local has reported that Jasper tenants in the “Walk Ups,” or 1004 Patricia St. apartments, have been sent notices of rent increases of $500 for a two-bedroom apartment – from $1,500 to $2,000 – and $550 for a one-bedroom apartment – from $1,200 to $1,750.
Prior to the wildfire, which destroyed 820 housing units and left 2,000 residents in need of housing, Jasper already had a zero per cent vacancy rate and an estimated 600-unit deficit.
Irwin had previously introduced a bill imposing limits on rent increases that was later defeated. She argued that Jasper tenants would not be facing these increases had the UPC acted on her bill, and even if landlords were facing higher costs, such massive rent increases were unjustified and would push residents out of town.
“They want to be there, but it's become just fully unmanageable for some folks and people having to choose to stay in their community or have to go elsewhere, and they don't want to have to make that choice,” she said.
Although admitting more could have been done while the NDP was in power, she noted the province had never seen rent increases to this degree.
She also called on the UCP government to step up, particularly when it came to interim housing, which has been indefinitely delayed due to its insistence on permanent, single-detached units rather than high-density solutions.
The federal government has committed to address the housing crisis by providing 320 interim housing units and spending $9.4 million to accelerate the construction of 240 permanent homes over the next three years as part of a plan to construct 505 multi-family homes over the next decade.
Jasper CAO Bill Given said during a recent federal announcement that council was aware of the issue and had heard concerning stories from residents about increased rent costs.
Jasper council had previously raised the issue of rent at the Alberta Municipalities annual convention before the wildfire since the housing shortage has been a long-standing issue for the community.
While acknowledging how property owners were likely facing increased mortgage rates, Given emphasized Jasper residents needed to have safe, affordable places to call home.
“I think council and the municipality will be watching this issue, and we need to ensure and make it clear that while property owners have costs to face, price gouging would be something that is absolutely unacceptable in the community,” Given said.
“I think all levels of government could be watching for that, and if there was verified evidence of intentional price gouging, that's something that I think all three levels of government need to consider what options are available to us,” he added.
Brandon Aboultaif, press secretary to Dale Nally, the minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said in an email that rent increases were limited to no more than once every 365 days under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with notice of any rent increases to ensure tenants can find other accommodations if they are unable or unwilling to pay the increased rent.
Tenants with month-to-month leases must be notified at least three months prior. For fixed-term leases, such as a yearly lease, the rent can only be increased when a new lease agreement has been signed, provided at least one year has passed since the last increase.
“We understand that the housing situation in Jasper is a challenge,” Aboultaif added.
In the case of any dispute between a landlord and tenant, Albertans can apply for a hearing to the residential tenancy dispute resolution service.
