Photo by Vince Fedoroff
THE LAST RESORT FOR SOME? – Whitehorse residents joined groups in several Canadian cities Friday to call for a national housing strategy and to stop cuts to federal housing programs. They built houses out of cardboard in front of the Yukon government main administration building, seen here Saturday morning.
Appreciation expressed for housing rally
A rally to show support for affordable housing held at noon Friday saw approximately 25 people making cardboard houses outside the Yukon legislature.
Organized by the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition, the event prompted numerous passing drivers to honk in support, coalition co-chair Charlotte Hrenchuk said this morning.
“I think it brought the issue to the forefront,” she said.
The Whitehorse event was one of a number across the country which happened on National Housing Day to call for a national housing strategy. Other demonstrations were held in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver.
“National Housing Day was first observed 14 years ago and Canada still does not have a national housing strategy,” Hrenchuk said in a statement. “We are the only G8 nation without one.”
Bill Thomas, who chairs the coalition’s housing task force, noted the concern about potential cuts to subsidized housing, which would mean “even more people will be faced with living in unaffordable, insecure and inadequate housing.”
Those attending Friday’s demonstration brought cardboard boxes and markers, fashioning the boxes into homes that bore the roof-top title “Affordable Housing?” as a symbolic effort to call for the federal housing strategy.
Doing something like this in solidarity helps to raise the spirits for those trying to make change, Hrenchuk said.
The boxes were left there over the weekend in the hopes of having the message reach more people.
As Hannah Zimmering, housing navigator for the Blood Ties Four Directions Centre, commented: “National Housing Day is an opportunity for people to come together and advocate for access to safe affordable housing for all members of the community.”
The group is also circulating a petition on the matter.
Hrenchuk said she was pleased over the weekend when – while out and about on her own time – she was approached by a number of people who said they were glad the group was speaking out on the need for affordable housing.
“That was very heartwarming,” Hrenchuk said.
She stressed the importance of keeping the issue at the forefront when the days are getting colder (the -20s are forecast for the coming weekend) and housing options are limited.
Hrenchuk went on point out many find themselves spending more than half their income on housing, forcing them to choose between paying the rent or getting other necessities like food.
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Comments (4)
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hmmm on Nov 26, 2014 at 8:51 am
This government is not taking this issue seriously. There is a lack of affordable housing in Whitehorse, primarily affordable rentals, and nothing is being done to address this issue. YG should use some of the big chunk of vacant land owned by YHC in the south end of town and fund the construction of a multi-level rental apartment building. There are sufficient funds in the YG coffer.
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bobbybitman on Nov 25, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Another observation on Brian's post, his idea of having an acreage where people can build a small place. Well, the government does not allow that. Even 160 acre parcels are only allowed four residences. 40 acres each. And, you can subdivide once, so two of those four will never own the ground beneath their feet.
But, the government is planning to open up a new 95 lot country res. subdivison with 'affordable' 2 acre (+/-) lots, and a few ag lots, on the Carcross road just about 10km down from the Alaska Highway. Probably won't be for sale for a couple years though, and it's by lottery and no doubt there will be plenty of speculators putting in a chip for the big draw.
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bobbybitman on Nov 25, 2014 at 3:37 pm
I give points to anyone who cares enough about others to take action. I do not agree 100% with all of the expectations of the anti-poverty and 'housing is a human right' crowd because I think in some cases there is a need for personal accountability and in others there is a need for realistic thinking about what would happen to that 'human right housing' structure if it were simply given over to someone who is going to trash it.
That said, as per Brian who I gave a thumbs up to, I think it is unnacceptable that a person who is working full time in Canada, cannot afford a place with running water. I got the fact that you are choosing to save by living the way you do, but there is something seriously bleeping wrong with our wages for the working poor when people have to stuff their family into 400 sq. feet with no running water in order to save for a downpayment on a house. It should not be that hard to afford a little family and a home.
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Brian on Nov 25, 2014 at 8:05 am
I fight poverty, I work. I don't qualify for a mortgage, so I built a tiny home for my family and I. That is how we're saving up to buy a big house with indoor plumbing.
What are you willing to do to get ahead? Stick your hand out like a beggar, or pull your pants up and change your own future.
Housing has become a retirement fund for those who live cheque to cheque.
I think we need to re-educate and lower the expectations of our children. Not everyone gets a 1700 sq ft condo.
Teach them to stay out of debt or only have a rolling debt of $10,000. don't lease a new car, learn to fix an older one. Don't buy one if you live in town and never leave.
And just because the bank says you can afford it, doesn't mean you really can.
We really need to keep our children from getting caught in this disgusting rat hole lifestyle of debt. It's no way to live.
Maybe have a location where people who want to get ahead, can build or rent cheap a small place, for 2-3 years with conditions. If you waste your money on booze, cigarettes, drugs or sports cars, your out. I hope to have an acreage to do this one day, but till then, I have my own family to worry about.