If you’ve had to move within the last year, you’re one of many Canadians to discover the absolute horror that is the rental market in 2022. According to data collected by rental platform zumper.com, since September 2021, rent for a 1-bedroom in Victoria has risen by 29 percent, up to around $2,200 a month, while bachelor suites have risen a whopping 51 percent, up to about $1,850 a month.
This is terrifying news for anyone experiencing any sort of financial burden. What does that mean in dollars? Let’s look at the most financially vulnerable populations: those who access income assistance. In BC, a single adult below age 65 receives $560 a month, a single senior receives $860 a month, and a single person on disability assistance receives $1,410 a month, with the shelter allowance for all allocated at $375. This is grossly inadequate.
If an assisted individual was forced to move, and the cheapest place they can find right now is several hundred dollars in excess of their benefits (without even factoring in other necessities such as food and clothing), then the only option is to go out and work to make ends meet. This completely defeats the idea of a society that supports its citizens who, for whatever reason, are unable to work. They will unavoidably be forced into homelessness. Even low-income folks with employment who are living paycheck to paycheck will find themselves on the streets in an emergency.
Canada is supposed to take care of its vulnerable populations, but we’re overrun with predatory capitalist renters who can charge whatever they want because we have no choice but to pay it or have our lives devastated. There are no laws limiting the amount a renter can charge. Canada is supposed to be a society where basic human rights are respected and provided for, but we have no right to a roof over our heads.
Housing is absolutely a basic human right and should be affordable for all income levels. Either income assistance must be raised to match the cost of living, or laws must be enacted to limit the amount that a renter can charge.
I, for one, am not proud to live in a country that is systematically forcing its low-income population into devastating poverty, homelessness, and ruination.