For countless individuals and families, the dream of owning a home seems increasingly out of reach due to the escalating costs linked with construction requirements that, quite frankly, often favor inanimate vehicles over people. In our current system, building a laned home with a rear garage is mandated, escalating construction costs between $30,000 to $40,000 more just to provide shelter for a vehicle. This is not only financially burdensome but also prioritizes the home for a car, rather than for people.

In an era where affordable housing is a critical issue affecting so many, it's nonsensical to enforce such costly constructions when simpler, more budget-friendly alternatives exist. By permitting an option to only have a pad rather than a full rear garage, we can significantly reduce the financial barriers to home ownership. This seemingly small change could open the doors to homeownership to many who are otherwise locked out.

The current requirement reflects an archaic system that does not align with today’s needs for affordable housing solutions. We urgently need municipal authorities, particularly in areas such as Calgary and small satellite city such as Lethbridge where this issue is prevalent, to re-evaluate these building codes. Eliminating the mandate for rear garages and allowing the choice of a pad can make homebuilding more accessible and realistic for first-time buyers and families striving for a place they can call their own.

Studies consistently show that homeownership increases community engagement, stability, and economic growth. By making this modest adjustment in policy, we could foster not just home ownership but also community development at its core.

This change is a call for humanity and common sense, prioritizing the basic human right to affordable housing over the needs of cars. Join us in urging local authorities to permit the option of a pad only for laned homes with rear garages, to make homeownership an accessible reality for many struggling families. Please sign this petition to help build a community where homes are for humans, not just their cars.