Housing has become a huge problem.
When and how did this happen?
There used to be a ladder to successful living.
Step 1 – get an entry job. Step 2 - move out of the home and find a cheap basement suite. Step 3 - improve your skills in the workplace, improve your salary and move into an apartment. Step 4 – save money for a downpayment for a house. Step 5 would be marriage, family, holidays, savings account… well, you get the idea.
The problem is, our society has ripped out Step 2 and Step 3. There is this huge gap in the ladder that no one can climb because all apartments are now sold for unbelievable amounts. No one can afford these prices.
Why were these changes allowed? Apartments were rental units.
Young adults are stuck at home with no future independence and seniors can’t afford to downsize during their retirement.
Rental apartments were the keys to travel successfully up that ladder.
Perhaps our government housing experts could look into this and nail those rungs back onto that ladder for future generations.
There has to be hope for the up and coming adults, the seniors and the homeless or what’s the point of trying?
Elaine Thompson
Parksville