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A model for
Africa? Canada West
Foundation lays out 10-step affordable
housing solution The need
for more affordable housing, writes Senior
Policy Karen Wilkie, the author of
Building the Future, is becoming
increasingly evident. In some cases,
affordable housing is required to house
low income wage earners, people with
disabilities, or university students. In
other cases, affordable housing is needed
to house growing numbers of homeless
persons, seniors, or seasonal
workers. The
affordable housing issue is not new,
Wilkie writes. However, growing demand, a
scarcity of supply and a sense of urgency
are elevating the issue on the public
agenda, and affordable housing has emerged
as one of the greatest public policy
challenges facing Canadian communities.
The factors contributing to the growing
demand for affordable housing include the
rise in housing costs (both home ownership
and rental prices), the general rise in
the cost of living (e.g., utilities, food
and transportation), record low vacancy
rates, and the growing gap between high
and low wage earners. The scarcity of
supply is explained by condominium
conversions, a lack of new rental units
being built, funding cuts to government
programs, neighbourhood gentrification,
and urban population growth. Cumulatively,
these factors are putting a lot of strain
on Canadian housing. To address
affordable housing shortfalls and meeting
the needs of individuals Wilkie writes
that identifying the need for affordable
housing is just a first step. In order to
effectively meet the affordable housing
needs in a community, a number of
considerations must be taken into account,
including: To read
the rest of the media release, visit
http://www.cwf.ca/V2/cnt/release_200710191508.php To
download a copy of Building the Future
visit http://www.cwf.ca/V2/cnt/publication_200710181055.php For more
information: Gary
Slywchuk Troy Media
Corporation 403-835-8192 |
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