Oh the benefits and detriments of unfettered industrial growth in Alberta's northeast. More people, more business, more crime, more injuries, more schooling needed, more services required, more everything – except, of course, affordable housing.
As the people come flooding into Bonnyville and the Lakeland to fill the innumerable oilfield jobs and service sector occupations, where do they live?
Some higher-paid employees might buy a home at the region's record high prices. Other well-paid workers might overpay for an old apartment. Then there are those that stay for the work in temporary camps and leave town when the shift ends.
But for others in between, not making exorbitant wages, but working full-time nonetheless, and requiring at least a roof over their head, where do these folks eat, clean and rest?
Sure, for middle and low-income earners, during the summer months, a camper or a nice tent might cut it, but where can someone making just enough to stay above the poverty line find a permanent place to live around here? Do they not deserve somewhere to call a home too, just like those that can afford it?
The lack of options often leads those in need to make desperate choices. This could be living illegally in over-cramped quarters with several other people, hoping to save on excessive rent costs. It could be squatting in an old mobile home on un-serviced public land. Or it could be moving in with friends or family, if you are one of the lucky ones.
Suggestions say renters should spend no more than 35 per cent of their income on housing – ideally spending around 25 per cent.
Even if you were making nearly $40,000 per year, rent of about $1,000 per month would eat up more than 30 per cent of your income, without including the cost of renter's insurance or any other joys of modern life – heat, electricity, water, sewer, food – which at their inflated prices, easily bring living costs to almost 50 per cent of income.
The problem is you would be lucky to find a decent single living unit, with its own kitchen, bedroom and bathroom for less than $1,000 in this region right now.
Unfortunately, because there are those that are willing to pay the excessive prices, landlords are happy to charge the excessive prices, leaving low and middle income earners out in the cold – at least until summer arrives and they can pitch a tent on crown land free of charge.
The growing inequity in Alberta is not something to be scoffed at. Creating affordable housing is only one solution to the province's many emerging crises.
