Unfortunately, for the world of renters, whether you are a student, a senior, a family or a single individual our plight is worsening each month. 

Students can no longer find rentals that are affordable so that they can attend College or University programs. Students are now at risk of not being able to attend, to begin or complete their studies. Instead of renting a house on a whole for students, landlords are now renting out homes by the room. Rooms cost anywhere from $800-$2000 a month. How is a student supposed to afford that? 

Every month, families, seniors or single individuals are going homeless within our Province. Being forced to live in tent cities. Living in trailers on other peoples properties or attempting to live off grid. Living in shelters. Low income earners have no choice in their attempts to secure a rental as low wages do not even cover the cost of rent. 

Even if you have a proven track record of paying rent in a timely manner, not having utilities in arrears, most times you are overlooked as a quality tenant based on your income level. It is not for the landlord to decide what it is that you need in order to live. As long as the bills are paid and the home is kept in a good condition that should be all that matters.

Real estate agents are asking for a year’s worth of rent upfront so they can convert that rental into a sale. This strips away housing rental options. Unfortunately, as well for those who do end up making that purchase, they will more than likely lose their home in a few years based on the ever increasing high interest rates.

The average wage in Canada is $59,000.
The average cost of a three bedroom unit is $36,000/yr.

The Government states 30% of your income is fair market value for rent amounts but yet it is not applied to private housing. Only Government funded housing. Once a person moves in to Government funded housing, their income is not checked to ensure that they fall below the allowable amount. If they earn more than the allowable amount, they are not asked to leave to free up the unit for someone in a lower earning bracket. That is wrong! it compounds the housing crisis even further.

To qualify for government funded housing. you cannot earn more than $75,000 a year. In all fairness, if you are earning that amount that is enough to secure a three bedroom unit and have the affordability for utilities and food in comparison to the average retail worker who earns $32,000 a year for example.

Limit the number of Airbnb’s allowed in each Community/Municipality , so that all rentals cannot be converted into an Airbnb.

If the mortgage is paid off on a home, limit the rental amount to fair market value.

We see our Members of Parliament, receiving healthy raises each year. We also see promises that are being broken.

Write to your local constituents, write to the Premier of Ontario, write and share your story with media, write to every single official until we are heard so rent control gets brought back into play.