Rooming Houses: Improving Conditions in Halifax Regional Municipality

All citizens have an inherent right to housing. Rooming houses may provide a viable housing option for many individuals who are lower income Canadians. Halifax Regional Municipality has a demand for affordable housing such as rooming houses. Typically rooming houses are subject to a range of municipal as well as provincial regulations including zoning regulations, maintenance and occupancy standards, building standards, fire safety standards, licensing by-laws, public health standards and enforcement. This work examines the existing regulatory framework and provides alternative legislative approaches to rooming houses. Although the municipality is not mandated to provide affordable or subsidized housing it does have an interest in protecting the quality of life of its citizens and as such affordable housing policies are suggested.

Autorentext
Jill McGillicuddy, BA, MURP: Received Bachelor of Arts from University of New Brunswick, Canada. Studied Master of Urban and Rural Planning at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Planner at the Halifax Regional School Board, Nova Scotia, Canada.