In November 2019, the CBC’s HAPPINESS column addressed the issue of How the affordable housing crunch is affecting our well-being (see NOTE A):  “The lack of affordable housing is significant because the health effects stretch way beyond just those without access – it impacts the entire community.”  [Emphasis added]. A study by the CMHC of 326 Canadian families who received affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity revealed the following benefits of affordable housing:

• Increased well-being and academic performance in youth – children living in affordable housing are more likely to secure post-secondary education.
• Improved mental and physical health resulting from stable, affordable housing – including reduced financial stress, improved family dynamics, moving away from high crime areas and the stress of living in a state of “fight or flight”.
• Financial stability – affordable housing allows for money to be left over to afford key expenses such as food and healthcare expenses such as dentists.

The CBC article also identified that 1.7 million Canadian households lived in “core housing need”:  in a home that may be too small, too costly, structurally unsafe or in a neighborhood that is dangerous.  238,000 households in Canada were on a waitlist for affordable housing, with nearly two-thirds waiting more than two years to get access, as per Statistics Canada.

In Calgary:  19% of households can’t afford market rent  (see NOTE B-1);  3,000 Calgarians are homeless (see NOTE B-2);  and 4,153 Calgarians were on the WAITLIST  for housing in 2018 at Calgary Housing Company (see NOTE B-3).  In 2018, The City of Calgary built 120 affordable homes, which was LESS than the target of 160 and LESS than the 325 increase from 2017-2018 in the Calgary Housing Company’s WAITLIST for public/non-market affordable housing (see NOTE B-4).

Prior to COVID-19, the media was already writing about:  issues of suicide resulting from Canada’s housing crisis;  the plight of urban isolation;  and increased suicides resulting from the downturn in the economy.   (See NOTE C.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the mental health and finances of many in Canada as per research of Angus Reid in April 2020. Half of Canadians (50%) report a worsening of their mental health, with one in ten (10%) saying it has worsened ‘a lot’.   As well, at least one-in-five residents in each region of the country fall into the “Hardest Hit” category of deteriorating mental health and financial struggles – with Alberta reporting the highest number, at 32%.  (See NOTE D.)

Also see:

• Braid:  COVID-19 is a serious threat to mental as well as physical health – Calgary Herald – May 12, 2020
• Stress, anxiety a heavy burden for people who can’t work from home or properly isolate – CBC – May 12, 2020

A University of Calgary study based on statistics from the Calgary Counselling Centre revealed that “the level of anxiety in Calgary has hit record levels” and “shows how closely employment numbers and distress levels trend together…” (See NOTE E.)  Calls to the Calgary Distress Centre have doubled. (See NOTE F.)  Alberta’s unemployment rate is reported to be an unprecedented 29% - including people who are no longer looking for work and working reduced hours.  Alberta’s economy is forecast to contract by 5.6%.   (See NOTE G.)

Mental health supports have been provided in Alberta and Calgary. The Alberta government is spending more than $53 million to implement more online, phone and in person mental health and addiction recovery support services. Mayor Nenshi stated the following at the time of the announcement of  The City of Calgary Council’s $25 million community-wide mental health, addiction and crime prevention strategy announced on August 1, 2018:  “We are going to get this right…We will do better”  to address people living “quiet lives of despair” or “not able to live their best possible life”.  (See NOTE H.)

• See Alberta supports at: Help in Tough Times – Alberta Health Services (website)
• See Canadian Crisis Centres – The Lifeline Canada Foundation (website)

NOW more than ever, affordable housing and protection of renters is needed. The City of Calgary maintains that:  “Affordable housing is foundational to community prosperity”.  Affordable housing is essential.  (See NOTE I.)  In Calgary, a CRISIS/EMERGENCY of lack of affordable housing existed prior to COVID-19.

• Approximately one-fifth (19%) of Calgary’s households (Statistics Canada 2016/2017) could NOT afford average market rent (See NOTE B-1.)  
• How much less “affordable” are rents in Calgary NOW with the high increases in “market rent”:  PROTECT RENTERS – “Market rent” increased 48% despite the poor economy: from $979 to $1,449 per month. 
• It is time for highly profitable landlords to pay their FAIR SHARE and LOWER rents to “affordable housing” levels.  
• It is time also for rental market stabilization, with LESS apartment turnover - including with 0% rent increases and no evictions in 2020 and in 2021 (except for safety issues).  
• See other recommendations in this petition, with its UPDATES.

THANK YOU, fellow Canadians, for signing the petition!!  It really does help.  Let’s PROTECT RENTERS:  let’s make it a WIN-WIN-WIN solution for Renters and Community as well as Landlords.  Please pass the petition on to others!

Stay safe, stay healthy!                               

Anne

We the Courageous

NOTE A:  HAPPINESS COLUMN:  How the affordable housing crunch is affecting our well-being – CBC November 30, 2019.  Habitat improves happiness of families – Habitat for Humanity, Quebec – June 3, 2013

NOTE B-1:  Housing Needs Assessment 2018 – The City of Calgary, including at page 19: 2016/2017 Statistics Canada – 19% = 89,000 households and a total of 467,000 households.  There were 489,100 households in Calgary in 2019 as per Calgary and Region Economic Outlook 2019-2024 – The City of Calgary – Fall 2019, pg. 31;  19% = 92,929, an approximate increase of 3,929 (4.4%) from 2016/2017.

NOTE B-2: Housing Needs Assessment 2018 – The City of Calgary, including at page 2.

NOTE B-3:  Calgary Housing Company Annual Report 2018, page 10.

NOTE B-4:  See:   The City of Calgary Foundations for Home Q2 2019 – July 2, 2019 -  Progress Summary Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy 2016-2025 Implementation Plan 2016-2022 PFC2019-0872 Attachment 1 and Calgary Housing Company Annual Report 2018, page 10: CHC WAITLIST 4,153 in 2018 – 3,828 in 2017 = 325.

NOTE C:  See the following:

• Kevin Dickman died a broken man, homeless and alone in a city grappling with a housing crisis – The Star – November 9, 2009
• Lonely together:  The plight of urban isolation – CBC – March 15, 2019
• Advocates raise alarm about suicide and the economy – CBC – September 27, 2019. See also Suicide and the Economy – Social Policy Trends, The University of Calgary, The School of Public Policy – September 26, 2019.  Suicide rate in Alberta climbs 30% in wake of mass oil patch layoffs – CBC – December 7, 2015.

NOTE D:   Worry, Gratitude & Boredom:  As COVID-19 affects mental, financial health, who fares better;  who is worse?  - Angus Reid – April 26, 2020.

NOTE E:  Calgariains’ stress levels uncanny indicator of economic health: study – Calgary Herald – May 6, 2020.  Also see:  Stress levels unprecedented for Calgarians as unemployment rises, says U of C study – CTV – May 5, 2020.

NOTE F:  Calls to the Calgary Distress Centre’s information line have doubled amid COVID-19 outbreak – CBC – May 7, 2020

NOTE G:  Alberta’s unemployment rate rises to 13 per cent in April amid COVID-19 pandemic – Calgary Sun – May 8, 2020. Premier Kenney stated that:  the Alberta’s economy is facing a “double whammy”;  he “expects oil prices to stay low for at least 18 months”; and that Alberta’s recovery process will be “slower” than in other provinces.  [Emphasis added]  See also Kenney warns Alberta headed for 25% unemployment – CBC – April 7, 2020.

NOTE H:  Council supports a community-wide mental health, addiction, and crime prevention strategy – The City of Calgary - August 1, 2018 (CLICK FOR VIDEO, see quote at ~3:49 ). Mental health and addiction strategy: A top priority for Calgary – The City of Calgary Newsroom – April 11, 2019.  Increasing mental health supports in response to COVID-19 - Alberta Government Newsroom – April 15, 2020. 

NOTE I:  Foundations for Home Calgary’s Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy 2016-2025 – The City of Calgary, including at page 4.