With many Victoria residents struggling to find affordable housing, a new advocacy group is pushing party leaders to prioritize the issue in this election.
The Housing Canada Coalition (HCC) has found that, based on the last census, 31.1 per cent of households in the riding of Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke are in core housing need. That means they live in unsuitable, inadequate or unaffordable dwellings and cannot access affordable housing in the community.
“Greater Victoria is facing a significant challenge with housing affordability. High costs are pricing many young adults and low-to-moderate income earners out of the market,” said Tim Richter, Housing Canada Coalition campaign chair.
The HCC is a new advocacy group aiming to bring housing and homelessness centre stage during this federal election through its campaign, End the Housing Game.
“This initiative urges all parties and candidates in the federal election to address the housing issues affecting voters nationwide, including those in Victoria,” said Elisabeth Guthrie, a public relations and media strategist for Spark Advocacy.
The campaign includes a new video ad and a 10-point plan designed to promote a resilient housing system.
Some of the plan’s points include creating an immediate housing safety net to protect Canadians from the impacts of labour market disruptions and an economic downturn; doubling the share of community housing, including affordable home ownership; reforming taxes; and expanding Indigenous urban, rural and northern housing to meet the needs of Canada’s Indigenous communities.
Meanwhile, the video ad draws inspiration from Squid Game, a popular TV series in which contestants in dire circumstances compete in a deadly game for a cash prize.
Much like the Korean series, HCC’s ad depicts contestants in maple leaf–branded track suits sprinting for their lives.
“It’s an ad that captures the anxiety Canadians are experiencing, as well as the need for hope. We want to show that we can end this game if we work together and mobilize all of us to end the housing crisis,” said Andrew Burns, Housing Canada Coalition campaign manager.
“The campaign invites Canadians to join in a series of actions that will target candidates and persuade them to keep housing a priority throughout the federal election and into the next government.”
In Victoria last year, the price of an average non-condo home was $1,184,922, according to the National Bank of Canada’s Housing Affordability Monitor. According to the HCC, affording such a home would require an annual household income of $235,846.
Yet the average household income in Victoria before taxes was $107,000 — less than half of what is needed.
“With average home prices being out of reach for most residents, and a rental market that consistently ranks among the five most expensive in the country, many Victoria residents are struggling to find suitable housing,” said Richter.
Meanwhile, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Victoria is $1,993 — more than $500 over the national average of $1,447.
The HCC hopes the campaign will keep homelessness and housing top of mind this election, inspiring elected officials and citizens alike to push for change.
“Our aim with this campaign is to make sure candidates from all parties are hearing from Canadians — loud and clear — that it’s time to end the housing game. And we can, if we work together,” said Richter.
