75% of Canadian families are homeowners (an increase of 10% in a decade), in part due to low interest rates. Homeowners are paying a smaller percentage of income on housing each year while the percentage paid by renters has grown alarmingly, with over one third paying more than 30% of income for housing.

Strong economy has resulted in large rent increases (10% in 2002), conversion of former low-rent housing to condominiums for sale, nearly no building of new housing at the lower end.

While 40% of Edmontonians rent only 7% of new construction is of rental units.

In Edmonton there are long waiting lists for the small number of social housing units available. A study three years ago identified a need for 5000 units of low-cost housing, and a study a year later indicated the need is growing by 600 units a year.

Growing gap between rich and poor
— one study in a Canadian city found a difference of over 11 years in life expectancy of the richest 20% and the poorest 20%
— the gap between the assets of homeowners in contrast to renters has gone from 29 times to 70 times in the period from 1984 to 1999.
— The top 50% of the Canadian populace own 96% of the assets/wealth in the country (leaving only 4% for the bottom half of the Canadian population.)

A single adult on social assistance receives $168/month for shelter but average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Edmonton is above $500.

Many people have narrow and inaccurate information and believe simplistic clichés. Educate yourself!

It is more appropriate to talk about “housing insecurity” since most people “only” experience temporary, short (but sometimes repeated) bouts of homelessness, or never do experience absolute homelessness.

(thanks to Jim Gurnett of the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness for most of these facts)