'It was just like that': Massive rent increases spark call for caps

Residents of the Glenmore Gardens apartment complex on 90 Avenue S.W. in Calgary are facing huge rent increases as they renew their leases.

Residents of the Glenmore Gardens apartment complex on 90 Avenue S.W. in Calgary are facing huge rent increases as they renew their leases.

"It was just like that," said Cherri Champagne, snapping her fingers for emphasis.

"We just had gotten a (new) lease and it said that we're going up $600."

For Champagne, who lives in one of the complex's townhouses with her daughter and two grandsons, that's just over a 30 per cent jump in rent, and it's one she cannot afford.

"It means that my daughter and my two grandsons and I are going to leave and go and move in with my dad," Champagne said.

The rent increases are not hitting all residents at the same time, as they are being applied as leases are being renewed.

Jessica Saunders is a single mother, currently off work and receiving WCB benefits.