The Municipality of Jasper is seeking input on the local rental market amid housing challenges.
In the wake of recent reports of double digit rent hikes and updates to lease terms that may impact families, the MOJ is reaching out to tenants and landlords.
“Housing was already a challenge in Jasper before the wildfire, and we recognize that recent changes may be making it even more difficult for some residents,” said Bill Given, CAO for the MOJ. “By collecting this information, we hope to better understand the current rental environment and explore what options may be available.”
In January, The Jasper Local reported that at one local apartment complex, tenants were given notice that rents will soon be raised from $1,500 to $2,000 in two-bedroom apartments, and from $1,200 to $1,750 in one bedroom apartments. Those hikes represent 33 and 46 percent raises, respectively.
“We have nowhere else to go,” said one Jasper renter facing steep rent hikes.
Changes to tenants’ leases could also squeeze families out. At the same 36-unit complex, the new lease agreement includes clauses on occupancy limits and pet policies that will put families who have lived there for years suddenly in breach of the rules.
The July 2024 wildfire destroyed 30 percent of Jasper’s housing stock. Considering the community’s already-critical housing shortage, the municipality wants to gain a clearer picture of the current rental landscape.
Michael Fark, the MOJ’s director of recovery, told council on Tuesday, March 4 that there have been concerns raised about increases in rent and the changing of terms and conditions for residential properties.
“It’s beyond anecdotal,” Fark said. “Now we have received significant information to support the fact that this is becoming a considerable concern.”
During a federal funding announcement for interim housing last month, Given acknowledged that property owners were likely facing increased mortgage rates, but 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.
Fark told council there is enough concern to merit concrete action by the JRCC to fully assess the state and scale of the challenge and to that end, the MOJ is asking tenants who have received official communications about rent increases or lease term changes to share this information.
At the same time, the MOJ is requesting landlords who have recently adjusted rental rates or lease conditions to provide insight on those decisions.
Submissions can be sent to livinginjasper@jasper-alberta.ca by March 17, 2025.
Given said the municipality is solely collecting data to assess the situation and understand how many residents and property owners are affected. He acknowledged that landlords are facing rising costs and other pressures that influence rental pricing and lease agreements.
“No policy decisions have been made at this time,” he said.
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
