Glebe needs affordable housing

The Glebe Community Association’s Health, Housing and Social Services Committee is brainstorming how to  address the complex issues of the need for affordable housing in the Glebe. Please join the conversation.

By Dan Chook Reid

House prices are increasing at an alarming rate. If you are like me, you peek to see how much a neighbours’ house is selling for and are amazed. With housing in short supply, properties sell quickly, often for well over asking. This trend has fuelled an already alarming housing crisis.

Housing affordability was a key issue during our federal election and I imagine it will be at the forefront provincially this spring. The city of Ottawa declared a housing and homelessness emergency in January 2020. Regardless of political leanings, leaders know we face a significant crisis.

However, housing is a complex issue. When a politician promises affordable housing, what do they mean?

In Canada, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) calls housing affordable if it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s yearly income.

Unfortunately, not everyone uses the CMHC definition. When someone talks about affordable housing, it is important to ask them to define their terms. Affordable housing does not only mean subsidized rental housing. It is a broad term that includes housing typologies from the private, public and non-profit sectors.

In addition, as prices steadily increase, more of the population can suddenly find themselves in need of “affordable” housing, even if they have a middle-class income. First-time home buyers are having a difficult time getting into the market and many are forced to move farther away from the urban core to buy a home.

Some argue that the need for more affordable housing is simply a supply issue. There are not enough units for sale or for rent, resulting in increased costs. Undoubtedly we need to build a lot more housing but is the solution this simple?

Unfortunately, many new properties, especially downtown, are expensive. A new two-bedroom apartment can rent for $2,300 compared to the average Ottawa rent of $1,400. New construction can help middle-class professionals but not people in poverty. A family member on long-term disability or a refugee family are demographics that are often overlooked.

Additionally, even though new developments are being built, some experts say the number of affordable units is diminishing. Existing affordable units are being replaced with newer houses with higher prices.

Our affordable housing crisis is only worsening. Homelessness is growing, particularly among families with children. In 2018, 1,000 families used a shelter, up 40 per cent from 2015. In addition, there are approximately 13,000 people on the waitlist for social housing in Ottawa. This number is staggering.

Homelessness may not appear like a Glebe issue. However I recently heard the heart-breaking story of a Glebite who is having a hard time paying rent because her cost of living is increasing faster than her income. Her solution is to live in her apartment during the winter and sublet it during the summer when she saves money by living in her car.

In addition, as more citizens find themselves on the streets or in difficult circumstances, local businesses are facing increasing cases of hostility and theft.

As a neighbourhood, we can make a difference. The Health, Housing and Social Services committee of the Glebe Community Association is brainstorming how we can address these massive and complex issues and protect diversity and affordability in the Glebe.

You may ask, why affordable housing in the Glebe? Why can’t we solve this problem by building affordable units in Carlington, Vanier or Barrhaven?

Our committee is not composed of affordable housing experts (if you are one, please join us!). However, the more we learn and work with other groups in the city, the more convinced we are that the whole city needs to open its doors and find solutions to help people get housed. In addition, it is integral for the environment and the health of our city that affordable housing be in walkable areas with access to transit. The Glebe is one of those neighbourhoods with lots of active transportation. Lastly, history has shown that ghettos and segregation are not the best ways to build a healthy society. It is better to integrate affordable housing throughout various neighbourhoods than to put it in massive pockets.

When you picture a healthy neighbourhood for your children and grandchildren to live in, what does it look like? Consider a place of diversity, opportunity and inclusion. Please join the conversation. Learn about these topics and ask our elected politicians at every level to address the issues of affordable housing and homelessness.

Dan Chook Reid lives in the Glebe with his wife Melody, their two young children and their friend Deirdre. Dan serves with the Glebe Community Association as chair of the Health, Housing and Social Services Committee and pastors a new faith community called Bytown Community Church.