Calgary resident Millie Winzinowich is no stranger to the thrill of apartment hunting. A 28-year-old theatre professional, she takes pride in finding unique and affordable gems in the rental market. However, her recent experience searching for a new place to live in Calgary proved to be incredibly challenging.
Despite being a desirable rental candidate – a full-time, employed couple with no children and a cat – Winzinowich and her partner faced intense competition. Attending group showings where a single listing received hundreds of applicants, they witnessed the desperation of families and individuals pleading with landlords for a place to call home.
This situation is not unique to Winzinowich. The rental market in Calgary has become increasingly competitive due to factors such as expanded immigration, interprovincial migration, low interest rates, and a shift towards larger living spaces. In fact, according to Rentals.ca, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Calgary increased by 14.5% in July compared to the previous year.
This surge in rent prices has left many renters, like Winzinowich, struggling to find affordable housing. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives reported that a person would need to make $29.51 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Calgary, nearly double the province’s minimum wage. Median home prices have also seen a significant increase, with the Calgary Real Estate Board reporting a 16% jump in all residence types since 2021.
Recognizing the growing housing crisis, Calgary city council established a housing and affordability task force. The task force found that over 80,000 households in the city are spending over one-third of their income on housing, and one in 10 households are at risk of homelessness. The median individual income in Calgary is $44,250, and individuals earning less than $87,000 per year only have affordable access to 40% of the housing market.
In June, the task force presented recommendations to increase and diversify the housing supply, strengthen the ties within the housing sector, and improve living conditions for renters. Although initially rejected by council, public uproar led to a reconsideration of the recommendations.
Coun. Courtney Walcott, who represents a diverse mix of inner city and established neighborhoods, believes that a “wartime effort” is needed to address the housing crisis. He emphasizes the importance of building purpose-built rentals and affordable housing to ensure everyone has access to a basic need. With an influx of migrants to the province and the discrepancy between housing prices in Calgary and other major cities, it is crucial to find solutions that alleviate the strain on the housing market.
It is clear that the housing market in Calgary is facing significant challenges. Without immediate action and collaboration between local and federal governments, the housing crisis will continue to worsen, leaving many residents like Winzinowich without a place to call home.
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